CLOSED: A Bee, we think?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
slcdms Ripley, MS Jul 24, 2008

Could someone give us a clue as to what this insect is? they were swarming on our porch and seem to be eating the larva that the carpenter bees have put in the holes.
Thank you
Sandra

Thumbnail by slcdms
Post #5312036
Quote
slcdms Ripley, MS Jul 24, 2008

another picture

Thumbnail by slcdms
Post #5312042
Quote
slcdms Ripley, MS Jul 24, 2008

last picture

Thanks

Thumbnail by slcdms
Post #5312046
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 24, 2008

This is a vespid wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae); possibly the European hornet, Vespa crabro - see http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20o?search=Vespa+crabro&guide=Vespinae
They are voracious predators on other arthropods.

Post #5312685
Quote
slcdms Ripley, MS Jul 24, 2008

Thanks, we did discover them swarming at night, should I try to get rid of them? I read some of the article, but did not understand if it is a good guy or bad--lol
Sandra

Post #5313034
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 24, 2008

Whether you consider them 'good guys' or bad depends pretty much on your particular situation. About the only real damage they do is to strip bark from small branches to make into pulp for 'papering' their nests. Sometimes this results in girdling with subsequent death of the branch distal to the bark removal. On the other hand, they do eat a lot of other insects, and compared to yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets, they are relatively non-aggressive. I have worked in close proximity to a colony in our yard, and never was threatened (or even approached) by any of the wasps.

Post #5314472
Quote
slcdms Ripley, MS Jul 24, 2008

Thanks
Sandra

Post #5314760
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP