Donate SIGN UP

Wasp Identification

Avatar Image
Barmaid | 12:36 Sat 11th Jul 2009 | Animals & Nature
4 Answers
I live in Suffolk and over the last few days have noticed that my garden is absolutely teeming with a different variety of wasp. It is thinner that the normal type, but otherwise the same size. It's body is almost completely bright yellow with a rather menacing looking black point at the end. They seem more interested in my plants than me, although I am gardening at the moment and steeling myself for a sting. Does anyone know what they are? I have searched the internet and can't find one. Trouble is, they won't stay still long enough for me to take a pic!
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 4 of 4rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by Barmaid. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
I would have said it might be a Hornet,but (usually)they are a bit larger than a wasp.They are the most docile of the Wasp family, and rarely sting.
This is a Hornet:~
http://blog.ecosmart.com/wp-content/hornet.jpg
It COULD be a Lunar Hornet Moth (that mimics a Hornet) and unusually for a mother ARE active in sun/daylight.However,these are quite rare and again are larger than a standard wasp:~
http://www.norfolkmoths.co.uk/photos/active/37 10.Paul_Harris.1194558603.jpg
This is a Yellow Jacket Wasp,which is about the same size as a standard wasp:~
http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/yel low/pic07western.jpg
To close,I think it probable that it is a either a hornet,or a Queen wasp(whos colouring can be much brighter than normal).
Just avoid then(if possible) and they will leave you alone!
Question Author
Thanks Mr V - although they don't look like any of those. Still they seem to be letting me get on with it (although the odd kami kazi one has a go). I've looked through the natural history museum website and i can't find it. I would take a pic if one would stay still long enough!
Going by the 'menacing point' (ugh!) they might be wood wasps...I used to see them occasionally buzzing around window frames but thankfully they don't seem to care for pvc ones quite so much.
Searching for Robinia's suggestion of Wood Wasps,I came across the Sawfly (which IS a fly not a wasp)
Here is a picture of a Sawfly:~
http://www.gardensafari.net/pics/wespen/zaagwe spen/tenthredo_scrophulariae_ha7_4320.jpg

If it's not tha,t let me know,as I am determined to find out what it IS! LOL

1 to 4 of 4rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Wasp Identification

Answer Question >>

Related Questions