CLOSED: I assume this is a bee of some sort?

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dlefik Spencerville, OH(Zone 6a) Aug 31, 2016

Hey everyone. This one really has me stumped trying to figure out what kind of bee this is. This summer is only the second time I've seen one. It, or one of them, showed up last summer clinging to one of my screen doors and the same happened this summer. once it left though, I never saw it again just like last year. It was clinging onto my screen poking some long black tube looking thing on it's rear end through the holes on my screen. This went on for about 15-20 minutes before it left.

I'm glad I managed to get a picture this year because people thought I was crazy trying to describe it when I saw it last summer. It doesn't look like any kind of bee I see on a regular basis though. The picture doesn't really show how big it is but this sucker had to have been at least 1 1/2" - 2" long. It was massive.

Anyhow, hope someone could shed some light on what this scary thing is.

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AceBug Ottawa, KS(Zone 6a) Aug 31, 2016

I don't have a clue but looks more waspy like to me. Curious to see what it is!

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Lynann Bathurst, Australia(Zone 8b) Sep 01, 2016

I think it is a Pigeon Horntail (Tremex columba). Unlike wasps, they are not aggressive. The long black tube is an ovipositor, used for depositing eggs through the tough bark of trees. It seems that your horntail was confused, thinking your screen was a tree.

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dlefik Spencerville, OH(Zone 6a) Sep 01, 2016

Thanks so much Lynann. It's always impressive how quick folks here can identify these things. After googling the pigeon horntail, I came up with tons of pics that exactly resembled that, so I'm going with your call on that one.

It's kind of cool how they bore out trees to lay their eggs. it's also good to know they're not even a stinging bee so it gives me a little less reason to be frightened by them lol.

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