Dragonfly & Insect id's ?

[Chevvyf1]

Never seen one of these before. Captured last weekend on a walk along the Itchen River with Ringneck




I thought this was a HUGE Bee - but it seems tobe articulated ? Is it a bee or wasp or Honet or ?

[bredman]

A female Banded Demoiselle (note the green tint to the wing), and a Hornet (wasp).

Hornets are huge wasps and their flight jizz is very purposeful and direct, they just take off and go, no messing, unlike common wasps that swerve about as they fly. I was at Clumber Park a few years ago and there were thousands of them enjoying the Rhododendrons, i knew they were recolonising their way up north, now i see them elsewhere, in fact i was buzzed by one the other day along the Chesterfield canal. They are not as aggressive as their reputation suggests, but they can appear frightening when they buzz you (come for a closer look to check you out).

[pandora]

To an uneducated eye I would say that neither of these exist in Oz, but please, don't quote me Chevvy ! Ross will probably be able to tell you for sure.

[bredman]

I don't think the Australian Hornet is a social species.

I remember when i first saw this, a clip of the largest and most deadly hornet, the Asian Giant Hornet. There are scores of Giant Hornet clips, they make for compelling viewing.

YouTube

YouTube

then watch this, this is amazing --

YouTube

YouTube

[Chevvyf1]

Originally Posted by bredman

A female Banded Demoiselle (note the green tint to the wing), and a Hornet (wasp).

Hornets are huge wasps and their flight jizz is very purposeful and direct, they just take off and go, no messing, unlike common wasps that swerve about as they fly. I was at Clumber Park a few years ago and there were thousands of them enjoying the Rhododendrons, i knew they were recolonising their way up north, now i see them elsewhere, in fact i was buzzed by one the other day along the Chesterfield canal. They are not as aggressive as their reputation suggests, but they can appear frightening when they buzz you (come for a closer look to check you out).

Pete, Many Thanks for this info ! The Hornet was HUGE and I am amazed at its flight pattern !

I much appreciate the Dragon info too she caught the light so perfectly on her wings

[Chevvyf1]

Originally Posted by pandora

To an uneducated eye I would say that neither of these exist in Oz, but please, don't quote me Chevvy ! Ross will probably be able to tell you for sure.

Mark, I did see Dragons like this in the Seychelles - so maybe they are as far down as Oz

[David Morison]

You can immediately identify #1 as a Damsel fly as it is resting with folded wings as all Damsels do (except the Spreadwings). Dragonflflies generally rest with outstretched wings.

I once walked into the "Buzzard" hide at Rutland Water to be confronted by a huge number of Hornets chewing up the wood to build a nest - very frightening as they didn't appreciate my presence, I feel I only just escaped with my life!







David

[Chevvyf1]

David scary SCARY PHOTO ...

I once felt "something in my hair (when it was thick and long) and put my hand to my head shaking the hair and got stung ! on my middle finger ... by a Hornet the PAIN ... my whole hand puffed up and was immobile and stiff - I was very scared