What is this?

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zodiac
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What is this?

Post by zodiac »

15658545156658792849551594686976.jpg
And what is it doing in my garden??
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Mike J
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Re: What is this?

Post by Mike J »

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.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
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Re: What is this?

Post by zodiac »

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!
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Re: What is this?

Post by davelumb »

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Re: What is this?

Post by Danoutdoors »

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
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Re: What is this?

Post by Mike J »

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..
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Re: What is this?

Post by zodiac »

I still have it Mike, I'll keep it.
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Re: What is this?

Post by davelumb »

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
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Re: What is this?

Post by Mike J »

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 :thumbs:
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Re: What is this?

Post by Danoutdoors »

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 👍
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Re: What is this?

Post by davelumb »

:thumbs: :thumbs:
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Re: What is this?

Post by zodiac »

You're all wrong, it is in fact a penny..
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Re: What is this?

Post by zodiac »

Seriously though, apparently they're quite common, and also harmless. I'm not sure I believe either of those 'facts'!
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Re: What is this?

Post by RAB-HENDO »

Horrible looking bastad. That would get the rolled up tea towel treatment :hammer:
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Re: What is this?

Post by fergie68 »

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.
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Re: What is this?

Post by Nige Johns »

Is it not a moff ?
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Re: What is this?

Post by Will Smith »

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

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Re: What is this?

Post by Will Smith »

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

Know by both names :thumbs:

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Re: What is this?

Post by Mike J »

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'.
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