insect identification please

[floydvera]

My relative has had to saw down a tree and some bushes, and then saw a MASSIVE bright orange wasp like thing, 3 times as long as a wasp, buzzing and very angry. With a sting. He's 52 and quite wised up on this sort of thing, but has never ever seen anything so huge. Presume it has a bad sting because of the very bright orange colour of it's body - a warning?! Has anyone any idea what it was please? Regards. Karen

[fiest82]

It was a dragon fly most likely, quite common in the countryside. Next time, fling cold bucket of water at it or try and swing at it with a branch and all should be well again.

[floydvera]

Thanks for quick response. But are dragon flies ever a solid bright orange colour - not the ones I've seen. I'm still confused. Dragon flies are quite slim in body, but this insect had quite a thick body.

[Thunderbird+]

It sounds to me like a hornet, which is a kind of giant wasp often found in old hollow trees.
Or maybe it was a similar thing known as a horntail, the female has a projection on it's rear end that looks like a stinger, but it's really an ovipositor for laying eggs.
try Google to get a match. Good Luck. Tbird+

[icequeenk]

It sounds like a Hornet to me too. I've had these in my garden and they really are quite incredible creatures.

The sting looks huge, I got the serious heeby-de-jeebed-ees.

Kimbers

[hammerman]

Hornets are not solid bright orange....they're just a bigger version of our wasps.

Can't find and ID on google for you though but as mentioned, the "sting" is more likely an ovipositor.

[floydvera]

Thanks for all your help guys. Interesting to learn about the "ovipositor". I'll check out hornets on google to rule it out - I was stung on the back of the leg by one of those a couple of years ago - 100 times worse than a bee sting!
This bright orange critter was well scary - my 22 year old nephew flew in the house, up to his bedroom, and drew the curtains.............. !!! Touch over dramatic but as I say my brother-in-law who couldn't be more laid back was well freaked out by it too. I'll let you know if I find out anything more.

[Cetti]

As Tbird has said it's more than likely this lady - the Giant or Greater Horntail.

http://i9.tinypic.com/4mx4cat.jpg

She looks ferocious and she is very big at 30 - 50 mm but is in fact completely harmless. Her oviposter is used to drill into pine trees to lay her eggs and not to sting.

[floydvera]

Thanks very much. Yes, seems it was a horntail, although my husband still says that this one had a more solid-orange coloured body. She was probably angry that her tree had been cut down - and quite rightly so !!! Perhaps she wanted to lay her eggs and didn't want to lay them in a felled tree. Feel quite sorry for her. !!!

[Thunderbird+]

Hi floyvera,
One possible explaination I'd like to offer for the bright arange colour is, when the Horntail / Hornet-whatever, is seen angrly buzzing around at high speed, it's sometimes difficult for the human eye to focus on it and the black and yellow colours seem to merge together thus giving the appearance of a stronger more orange colour, I've noticed this colour blurring with the hornets that feast on the fallen apples in my garden. so far I've not been stung and I find keeping a respectful distance is the best form of defence as they are non agressive if unless they feel theatened.

I've only seen a Horntail once, they are related to the sawflies and I agree they certainly look formidable but it's nice to know they are harmless. Looking at the picture Cetti has kindly posted, is enough to send the most laid-back of people running hell for leather! Regards. Tbird+