!!!!!! was this insect in my garden?

jimpix12

Hi guys, seen it twice now so can't put off asking... Is it a hornet? it seems to live in a lleylandii nearby. Today it landed on my conservatory roof - what the heck is it? Does appear superficially similar to the European Hornet to me, but has 2 large stingers running down it's back. It's about an inch long if not more, has 2 wings, and a striking orange and yellow back/underbelly. Sounds like a loud bumblebee when it flies. Anyone know?

I am in SE England if that helps...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/7645050052_1e4af89f11_o.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7645053050_4eb5576de7_o.jpg

peter_the_piper

If no-one else can help try http://www.nhm.ac.uk/natureplus/community/identification/bug-forum/true-flies?view=all

PasturesNew

Is it a hornet?

blossomhill_2

Horntail wasp

balustrada

Yes, I agree, it looks like a horntail, a species of wood wasp. The sting-looking thing's not a sting but an egg-laying tube or ovipositor for laying eggs in bark. It won't hurt you.

jimpix12

Thanks guys, definitely the horntail. However it did have 2 "stings" the longer black one being the ovipostor for eggs, but there's a shorter orange 'sting' above it. Can't seem to find any photos of that, maybe it was just it's tail...

Edit: Here it is! http://www.kendalluk.com/BEE14.gif

GreenTricky

Just had 3 come in my house, never seen one before!

coshboy

Excellent! I read this thread yesterday but did not comment as I didn't know what it was. Now I do!

vickyj

That is the most gorriffic looking thing i have recently seen !!! if i had three of them in my house i think i would consider moving my wimpy !!!! out of there !!!!!!

peter_the_piper

I bet they think the same of us.:rotfl::rotfl: