Huge Menorcan wasp thing

[Prudie]

Any advice on how to identify a huge wasp thing I saw in Menorca? I've put huge wasp and bee into google images with no luck nor on a general search for Menorcan insects. It was at least 5 cms long, mainly all black hefty body with a yellow head and 2 yellow blobs on its back. Maybe one of the Balearic or Med living ABers know what it is?

[woofgang]

have you googled Hornet?

[factor-fiction]

I remember some that looked like double wasps/hornets- one in front of the other

[Prudie]

Had a look at hornet although I do know them, this was much much bigger. Could have been a bee or a wasp but not striped like a standard wasp. It was really stunningly big. I do have a photo but it's totally out of focus :-( plus I haven't ever tried to upload a photo on here.

[Sqad]

I know them very well.....we call them "helicopters" but don't know their proper name. Their bites(stings) are quite nasty.
I will try and find the proper name.

[sandyRoe]

Might be an Avispón

[Zeuhl]

was it one of these?

http://images4.pitche...1686/100509234716.jpg

[Sqad]

sandy....well done.......I think that you are correct.

[Prudie]

Thanks sqad and sandy but not that. It's hard to describe but it's not yellow banded like a wasp, just distinct 2 or 3 yellow blobs on it's back which is wide bellied. I took a picture of one on some sea holly but it's blurry. Later that day it landed on my towel at the beach and the OH had a dicky fit!

[Prudie]

No zeuhl, not stripey!

[argorstran]

Could it be one of the species of Bee Hawk Moths ?
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=1982

[Brenden]

How about a flying cockroach - they are big - don't know if they have them in Menorca.

[Prudie]

thank you both for your suggestions but not a hawkmoth or cockroach. see if this link has worked ( it's a really rubbish picture but will give you an idea).
5cms/2 inches is not an exaggeration.
http://s1157.photobuc...&current=CAM_0158.jpg

[Brenden]

Flipping heck, never seen one of them but looks like a stinger.

[gen2]

You have seen a Mammoth Wasp. It's an intimidating looking insect, but despite its black and yellow ‘warning’ colours, it is not at all dangerous to people. They are large impressive insects and females may grow to reach 4.5cmlong with males being a little smaller

[gen2]

Here is a link.
http://2.bp.blogspot....Mammoth-Wasp_6190.jpg

[snags]

http://www.flickr.com...513699@N03/4257461966

[Prudie]

Thank you very much gen2, a female mammoth wasp it was then. Didn't bother me but was very intimidating looking.

[Prudie]

hmmm I suppose that's a slightly better pic than mine snags.