The Pikers Pit

And what is it doing in my garden??

My guess is its a species of Hoverfly.
Some of these flies feed on small insects and aphids, the insect near its head maybe indicative.

Im presuming it is dead and the extension at the rear of its abdomen is its ovipositor and not a sting.

It's dead Mike, I fished it out a pail of water. I didn't see the wee fella near it's head till I looked at the photo!

Some kind of ichneumon wasp?

https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19403

Wood wasp I think, had one here about 2 weeks ago, I think the spike isn’t actually a sting but designed to lay eggs in cracks in the wood

Zodie, if you still have it don't chuck it away.
Instead dry it out and keep it in a small tin or shot container until it can be positively identified, I can tell you what you need to do but the body will be required.

If Dave hasn't done it already, I will get onto it when I have time..

I still have it Mike, I'll keep it.

Danoutdoors wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15 2019 09:09 -

Wood wasp I think, had one here about 2 weeks ago, I think the spike isn’t actually a sting but designed to lay eggs in cracks in the wood

This?
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife ... t-horntail

davelumb wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15 2019 09:51 -

Danoutdoors wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15 2019 09:09 -

Wood wasp I think, had one here about 2 weeks ago, I think the spike isn’t actually a sting but designed to lay eggs in cracks in the wood

This?
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife ... t-horntail

Looks like you've got it there Dave

davelumb wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15 2019 09:51 -

Danoutdoors wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15 2019 09:09 -

Wood wasp I think, had one here about 2 weeks ago, I think the spike isn’t actually a sting but designed to lay eggs in cracks in the wood

This?
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife ... t-horntail

Yea looks about right doesn’t it

You're all wrong, it is in fact a penny..

Seriously though, apparently they're quite common, and also harmless. I'm not sure I believe either of those 'facts'!

Horrible looking bastad. That would get the rolled up tea towel treatment

We have had a few of those over the years in among and on tile and counter battens. They seem to like that sort of timber.

Is it not a moff ?

I have always known them as wood wasps also, never ever thought to challenge that TBH.

Will.

Ha ha what do you know :-
https://www.uksafari.com/woodwasp.htm

Know by both names

Will

Advice.
If anyone finds anything they cannot identify, photograph it, and if its dead keep it in a cold dry place, and if its a plant make a plant or something growing make a note of its location.

The reason we have an inbuilt instinct to only take notice things which we do not see frequently. This is how many rare species come to the attention of scientists.
If something cannot be identified first contact your County Natural History Society, if that draws a blank, next try the NE Officer for your County, usually they will be able to get a correct ID and if its a rarity probably ask to visit the site with you.
If the specimen is really rare then a survey of the area will often be undertaken by a specialist team of ecologists.

99.9% of this country has never ever been surveyed, in truth nobody really knows what is out there, only a 'good idea'.