CLOSED: Wasp/Hornet ID and Strange Behavior

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MariSama44 Huntsville, AL Jul 06, 2009

Hi, i was on my college campus today and as I was leaving class, I noticed that a small swarm of insects happened to be everywhere...even so far as a half a mile off campus. From what I could tell, these insects were about the size of bumble bees, fast moving, and their large abdomens hung down while they flew and their wings beat out to either side, making them look like a kind of fat wasp. they were black from what I could see, and they seemed to be very intrested in the grass and were mostly clustered over grassy areas, flying near to the ground. I saw hundreds of them as I drove to work, does anyone know what kind of insect this is and why they're "swarming"? I have a stinging insect phobia and I want to know whether or not I have to worry about being stung on my way to class. also, if this helps, I'm located in north alabama, and this occurred about late morning/mid day, and today is a very warm/humid day.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 06, 2009

This sounds like normal behavior for certain solitary wasps searching for their prey, the grubs of scarab beetles that feed on roots of grasses. See the image of one in the family Scoliidae at http://tinyurl.com/lewthd to see if it resembles what you saw. Solitary wasps in general are not aggressive towards humans, and will sting only if you actually pick one up. I frequently see these around our property, and have never been bothered, let alone stung, by one.

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MariSama44 Huntsville, AL Jul 06, 2009

Thanks, I think that's the one. they didnt seem aggressive, and I read online that they're usualy only found at the site of a may/june/green/japanese beetle infestation...So rather than a wasp problem, perhaps my school is infested with beetles. Haha, well i guess I dont have to worry about being stung...even though I'll still probably be afraid to walk through that area.

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