Giant Wood Wasp.
What a whopper! Late this afternoon I went into the kitchen to prepare for the onslaught of No 2's daughters freinds for a sleepover. In a large vase on the window sill was this enormous Hornet looking beast. At about 30mm long, it turned out thanks to The Childrens Mother, to be a Giant Wood Wasp. The scary looking 'sting' is in fact an ovipositor, used to lay eggs in rotten wood. Thank goodness! I have a thing about wasps and bees after several painful encounters in the past. I will release it into our little wood in the morning.
At the yard tonight I couldn't resist this shot.
I'm sure you're right, but I'd still be treating it with respect!!
ReplyDeleteAm assured that these guys are not harmful - but still keep my distance. Egg layers or not that thing is scary!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a monster to me! Fascinating though.
ReplyDeleteThat's a mean looking beast, regardless of what it does with that thing at the rear...
ReplyDeleteThat didn't work, try again:-
ReplyDeletehttp://jansespaceonblogger.blogspot.com/2009/07/wasps-nest.html
If that doesn 't work, I give up!