Wasp / Hornet nest or what?

[speckytecky]

This morning I discovered an unusual looking insects nest on the end of our garden shed.

 

The insects look like wasps but are all queen wasp sized and one of them is even bigger.

 

Checking images on the web there doesn't seem to be anything like it shown anywhere?

[mattx]

Wasps by the looks of it - just been taking some pics of them in my garden:

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4912629485_0187f28cd6_z.jpg

 

If they are NOT causing a problem I would leave them where they are as they will die when it gets colder - or if you want to get rid of them [ if they are wasps ] - you will have to kill the queen.

The nest will be made out of paperish material as well.

[witch]

I heard on the radio that in fact hornet stings are actually less poisonous than wasps but as they are bigger there is more poison. Hornets are more nervous though and are more likely to sting if you approach the nest.

Hornets have a predominantly black head apparently rather than the yellow and black shown in mattx's splendid picture

[mattx]

I heard on the radio that in fact hornet stings are actually less poisonous than wasps but as they are bigger there is more poison. Hornets are more nervous though and are more likely to sting if you approach the nest.

Hornets have a predominantly black head apparently rather than the yellow and black shown in mattx's splendid picture

 

Very true [ about the stings ] and it depends on how quick you can get it out. And if you do get stung, don't stop and get the sting out - get well away first as the pheromones will start to guide the other Hornets / Wasps in.

[Andrew_C]

Come the revolution, wasps will be second against the wall; after lawyers.

[tech_guy]

No. it's gotta be mosquitoes - they're the only thing I kill. Hateful creatures.

[mattx]

No. it's gotta be mosquitoes - they're the only thing I kill. Hateful creatures.

 

What not teachers ?

[mattx]

Come the revolution, wasps will be second against the wall; after lawyers.

 

Don't knock Wasps - they are great to photograph - got quite a few good shots of them this afternoon - have another:

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4914046728_9bdc3b26d7_z.jpg

[speckytecky]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I'm pretty sure these are hornets - too big for wasps and they have a dark bit between the head and the body (learnt what that was called when I was at school but naturally can't remember it now!).

[localzuk]

bit between the head and the body

 

Thorax? Does it look something like this? http://creationwiki.org/pool/images/1/1c/Vespa_Crabro.jpg

 

Hornets usually build nests in trees and shrubs. Yellow-jackets build nests in the ground and wasps build nests in house eaves. The nests don't seem to match up for a hornet - Pest Control Tips for Hornets

[speckytecky]

Thanks localzuk - nope it's not like the linked photo you sent I have added a new image which although poor quality and focus shows the top of the abdomen and thorax (thanks for that) are red / brown coloured; the heads are wider as well (bit like a hammer head shark) and the things are a good twice the size of a standard queen wasp.

 

The nest to is a total puzzle with it's interlayered brown and white wavy horizontal stripes - I can't find anything like it on any web image searches. Sent a image to a chum in the BBC Nat History unit for him to have a gander at it.

 

 

Thorax? Does it look something like this? http://creationwiki.org/pool/images/1/1c/Vespa_Crabro.jpg

 

Hornets usually build nests in trees and shrubs. Yellow-jackets build nests in the ground and wasps build nests in house eaves. The nests don't seem to match up for a hornet - Pest Control Tips for Hornets

Edited August 22, 2010 by speckytecky

[speckytecky]

Cracking photo mattx, what kit did you use to take it with?

 

Don't knock Wasps - they are great to photograph - got quite a few good shots of them this afternoon - have another:

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4914046728_9bdc3b26d7_z.jpg

[mattx]

Cracking photo mattx, what kit did you use to take it with?

 

Thanks, A Canon 500D and a good macro lens:

 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens Review

 

One of the best lenses I have ever used.

It's quite over exposed [ I wanted the flash to go off as the light was already low ] - should have stuck the camera in spot metering mode - took off quite a bit in photoshop.

Edited August 22, 2010 by mattx

[localzuk]

Thanks localzuk - nope it's not like the linked photo you sent I have added a new image which although poor quality and focus shows the top of the abdomen and thorax (thanks for that) are red / brown coloured; the heads are wider as well (bit like a hammer head shark) and the things are a good twice the size of a standard queen wasp.

 

The nest to is a total puzzle with it's interlayered brown and white wavy horizontal stripes - I can't find anything like it on any web image searches. Sent a image to a chum in the BBC Nat History unit for him to have a gander at it.

 

Sounds remarkably like paper wasps, but the fact the nests aren't open celled gives me pause.

[NikChillin]

Looks like Vespa crabro if you do a search and it is larger than a wasp, but it is a hornet. The nest looks very similar too.

[plexer]

European hornet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

The previous website mentioned is American and I would guess different species of hornet.

 

Ben

[plexer]

Asian giant hornet is a beast take a look Asian giant hornet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Ben

[NikChillin]

No it isn't look at Uk Safari

 

It is mainly found in the South East

[NikChillin]

Vespa crabro

Bees, wasp and ants society pictures from Shropshire

 

File:Vespa crabro nest.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

The nest is remarkably similar too.

[localzuk]

Regardless of how annoying wasps/hornets are, they're pretty amazing creatures aren't they? The fact they can make such large nests from self made pulp is impressive.

[speckytecky]

Thanks all - yep Vespa crabro it certainly is then.

 

Nik Chillin's link File:Vespa crabro nest.jpg - Wikimedia Commons even identifies the nest type.

 

You EduGeekers are fantastic, tallent in every direction!

[Sirbendy]

I hate wasps...really, really hate them. Bees I'm fine with.

 

We get them (or at least I think they're wasps) here..it's an 1800s house, and we've had 3 HUGE sods in the living room, 1 in the spare bedroom, and 2 in the bathroom...I mean really HUGE...very out of scale wasps. Most meet Mr Dyson, one met my big cat who leapt in the air and speared it right through the main body with a claw.

 

I was rather impressed..he can fair shift for a lardy farmcat based furball..

[localzuk]

I was rather impressed..he can fair shift for a lardy farmcat based furball..

 

Cats do things like this all the time. My old cat when I lived elsewhere leapt 6ft in the air once and caught a sparrow midflight.

[witch]

Thanks all - yep Vespa crabro it certainly is then.

 

Nik Chillin's link File:Vespa crabro nest.jpg - Wikimedia Commons even identifies the nest type.

 

You EduGeekers are fantastic, tallent in every direction!

 

So..it is a European hornet then. What are you going to do about it?

Round here there have been very few wasps all summer, until this weekend when they suddenly appeared! Anyone know why?

[speckytecky]

It's not there anymore!

 

Several applications of Rentokill's Wasp Killer Powder and when all had gone quiet knocking the nest down.

 

So..it is a European hornet then. What are you going to do about it?

Round here there have been very few wasps all summer, until this weekend when they suddenly appeared! Anyone know why?