What insect?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Nick Hudd, Jul 21, 2012.

  1. Nick Hudd

    Nick Hudd Apprentice Gardener

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    What on earth is thie fearsome beast? 2 inches long. Note the long spike at the rear end. On our patio today (Saturday, Kent) 89.jpg . Nick Hudd
     
    Nick Hudd, Jul 21, 2012
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  2. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    Hiya Nick...i'm guessing a Wood Wasp...but don't put your wages on it..look it up and see what you think:dbgrtmb:
     
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      Lolimac, Jul 21, 2012
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    • alex-adam

      alex-adam Super Gardener

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      Hi Nick,

      I think it could be a type of wood wasp, possibly Urocerus gigas.

      a-a
       
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        alex-adam, Jul 21, 2012
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        I'd agree with wood wasp. My first encounter with one of those was many years ago as a teenager, when I was thinning out our woodland, and as I put the chainsaw down and looked up one flew straight into my visor and landed on the ground.

        I shoved it into a matchbox, and then took it into school to see if anyone could tell me what it was (after I had left it in the matchbox for a couple of weeks to expire of course, as I was too scared to open it again) - wood wasp was the consensus of opinion in the end, and it didn't look too dissimilar to your one.
         
        Fat Controller, Jul 21, 2012
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      • Nick Hudd

        Nick Hudd Apprentice Gardener

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        Thanks to you both. Definitely Urocerus gigas - no doubt about it. A tad larger than all the books say! Body length about 35mm - not measured exactly - it is very much alive! The ovipositor is nearly 10mm long.

        Nick
         
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          Nick Hudd, Jul 21, 2012
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        • Nick Hudd

          Nick Hudd Apprentice Gardener

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          P.S. Thanks to fat controller too, who posted just as I did

          Nick
           
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            Nick Hudd, Jul 21, 2012
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          • Spruce

            Spruce Glad to be back .....

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            Loli a star from the teacher :dbgrtmb:

            Spruce
             
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              Spruce, Jul 21, 2012
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            • Lolimac

              Lolimac Guest

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              Thanks Spruce...i only know coz it was on our 'Spruces Bees'thread.....i'm proud of my sen....hey i'm not as green as i'm cabbage looking:heehee:
               
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                Lolimac, Jul 22, 2012
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              • Phil A

                Phil A Guest

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                Cor, look at the Ovipositor on that:WINK1:
                 
                Phil A, Jul 22, 2012
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              • Lolimac

                Lolimac Guest

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                Aw Ziggy i'm going to have to look up what that means now:doh:
                 
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                  Lolimac, Jul 22, 2012
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                • Lolimac

                  Lolimac Guest

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                  Done it:dbgrtmb:....yeh it's a big un:dbgrtmb:
                   
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                    Lolimac, Jul 22, 2012
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                  • Phil A

                    Phil A Guest

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                    :snork:
                     
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                      Phil A, Jul 22, 2012
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                    • Spruce

                      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                      at least it was a garden:ccheers: quote plus I like cabbage with a knob of butter and a sprinkle of pepper :WINK1::biggrin:

                      Spruce
                       
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                        Spruce, Jul 22, 2012
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