Insect ident please

[Mick F]

When we had them up in the loft years ago, they were coming in and out via a small hole in the top corner of the southern gable end top corner barge boards. Right at the very top corner.

We got in touch with Cornwall Council. They put us on to a private pest control firm because it's all contracted out these days. We were told that if they weren't a problem to us, to leave them alone and they'll eventually leave, then block the hole up .......... but they never come back to a previous nest anyway.

When our present ones go ....... and it won't be long now, maybe a couple of weeks or so ........ I'll be removing the nest for a trophy plus pulling down the old elm stump as it's in the way.

The old nest up in the loft is still there. Must be ten years now. It's difficult to get at to take away, but it's still there right in the top corner.

[rjb]

We've had noticed posted up in the village asking us to report any sightings of Asian hornets. There are confirmed sightings in Cornwall at Liskeard and North Devon. Somerset may be next

[Mick F]

If you find them, report them, and they'll be exterminated.
They are a major threat to honey bees.

[Mick F]

Our hornets have gone.

Their nest was getting less used and it seemed that there were fewer and fewer hornets going in and out over the last week or so, and as we had heavy rains and winds recently, their nest was bashed and broken by it.

There wasn't much left of it on the ground and none at all on the tree stump. I carefully picked up a very damp but intact piece and brought it inside to dry out and photograph.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
The one I saw was about 30 - 40 mm long looked like a wasp, sunning itself at the local tip, never seen one that big before, looked dangerous.

[661-Pete]

That's big even for a European hornet. Possibly a queen. Interesting piccy of the 'comb', MickF. Never seen a hornet's nest myself - encountered plenty of hornets, but they've been out foraging and clearly some distance from the nest.

[al_yrpal]

Saw a hornet resting on a fence post on Sunday. Seemed a bit dozy and eventually flew off.

Al

[fausto copy]

What about this whopper?

[simonineaston]

As climate change ramps up, we will have to get used to seeing all sorts of strange insects, some benign, some not. Never mind, on the plus side, there will be fabulous wines available from pretty vineyards in Kent... rest assured that there will no other down-side.