BEE KILLER- in North Carolina

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REBLOOMER Cary, NC(Zone 7b) Jun 16, 2011

I wish I had a photo to post but I didn't have my camera with me in the garden. I'll try to describe what I saw and if anyone has any ideas what it could be, please name it and I'll try looking it up.

I saw a flying insect, approx. 1-inch long, had a yellowish fuzzy coat similar to what a bumble bee has (that's what I thought it was at first, till I got closer to it), blackish brown body, legs, it was slimmer and more elongated than a bumble bee. What really caught my attention is that it had a bee, possibly honeybee, either grasped or impaled. When it flew it took the bee with it. It would land and then just sit there, I had the feeling it was sucking the bee. When I'd go closer it would take off still holding onto the bee. It was quite a bit larger than the bee also.

I have never seen anything like this before. It concerns me because it is preying on bees. If it had been a yellow-jacket I probably would have applauded. I've been stung for no reason by yellow-jackets and do not care for them.

If anyone has any ideas what it could be, I would appreciate the information.

Post #8633968
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LadyAshleyR Oakland, MD Jun 16, 2011

Not really sure other than probably what you already know in that it's another wasp or hornet species.
It's not uncommon for the species to prey on each other.
I once saw a european giant hornet, swoop down out of the air, pick up a ginormous bumble bee, and flew it over into a tree where it proceeded to sting it to death.
Talk about scary!

Post #8634149
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shytonak Bandar-e-Abbas, Iran Jun 16, 2011

i think's that was Asilidae (robber flies) Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, ants, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders

Post #8634163
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