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Now this makes me wonder what kind of wasp I’ve seen attacking bees in my garden in Sweden. A very large wasp, I thought 2” in length, with the classic black a

Now this makes me wonder what kind of wasp I’ve seen attacking bees in my garden in Sweden. A very large wasp, I thought 2” in length, with the classic black and yellow stripes. I had assumed it was solitary. I’ve seen them hovering near the entrance of a wild hive and swooping on bees as they land and start to crawl in. The bee and wasp then tumble down to the ground, and there’s a struggle. Then the bee is released, and flies back to the hive. The wasp returns to hover by the entrance, awaiting its next victim. These massive wasps will reappear this summer, as usual. I will have to try and identify them better. Anyone have any ideas?

fit2rule 7y ago
Here in Austria, I've seen similar wasps, and as my house is surrounded by flowering fruit trees, I've had to deal with trapped-at-the-window individuals a number of times (bees and butterflies too, which is a wonderful brief visit until I free them to open air). I'm not entirely sure they are Asian Giant wasps, but they sure are big and nasty and angry .. I'm fairly sure they are European hornets, though: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet
- willvarfar 7y ago
  Have you seen these giant wasps in your garden attacking and then releasing the bee? I’ve been assuming mine are a kind of solitary parasitic wasp. I think I’ve actually seen them stabbing the bees with their tails before releasing them. But they definitely look like those hornets you linked to! Just the activity seems wrong.
  - yesbabyyes 7y ago
    From the Wikipedia article: > However, they are also known to "hawk" in midair for honeybees near their hive, which they then take down and consume. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet#Problems_associated https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet#Problems_assoc...
  - fit2rule 7y ago
    I haven't seen them attacking anything but my apricots. ;)
krig 7y ago
Probably a european hornet? They are the biggest I know of here, and are yellow and black. They are harmless to humans and protected.
- pvaldes 7y ago
  Vespa crabro just are too busy with they own bussiness, and are relatively peaceful, but not harmless to humans. Terrific gentle giants.
  - throwanem 7y ago
    The quickest way to see their "not harmless" side is to kill one. As with many colony wasp species, other individuals will smell volatiles released by the corpse, and respond by seeking out whatever killed their sister in order to strongly discourage any further such liberties. So, best leave them well alone. (Unless you're me, and willing to risk a sting in order to get macro shots, although it's not all that much of a risk as long as I'm not near the nest. Never have found any hornets yet, though, sad to say, not even D. maculata.)
DFHippie 7y ago
I read some time in the last few years that Asian giant hornets were migrating into Europe. It's an easier migratory route than across the Pacific. I wonder whether the spread of apiculture has produced a food bridge they can exploit. Here's the first hit I turned up on Google: https://www.thesun.ie/tech/5302630/giant-asian-hornet-invade-britain/ https://www.thesun.ie/tech/5302630/giant-asian-hornet-invade...
Grangar 7y ago
Could it have been a Mammoth Wasp?[1] I've seen one in the Netherlands 2 years ago. Very distinctive pattern on the abdomen. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_wasp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_wasp
- throwanem 7y ago
  Would a mammoth wasp attack a bee? Scoliids are parasitoids, and this one is described as having a life habit typical of the family. Typically the adults feed only on nectar, unlike the more predatory vespids.
  - willvarfar 7y ago
    The markings feel familiar. Of course I am not being objective and need to actually get one in front of me to check when they are in season.
- willvarfar 7y ago
  Yes! Now I definitely have to check the next one I see or find! It really could be this monster! Will try to get footage of them overpowering then releasing bees. Only problem is how to share my findings in a month or two when they are active!?
rlonn 7y ago
In swedish they're called "bålgeting". They look and sound scary because of their size but are actually non-aggressive and mostly helpful to humans as they prey on regular wasps and aren't interested in our food and drink like regular wasps are. Didn't know they took bees but I guess that makes sense.

fit2rule 7y ago

Here in Austria, I've seen similar wasps, and as my house is surrounded by flowering fruit trees, I've had to deal with trapped-at-the-window individuals a number of times (bees and butterflies too, which is a wonderful brief visit until I free them to open air). I'm not entirely sure they are Asian Giant wasps, but they sure are big and nasty and angry .. I'm fairly sure they are European hornets, though: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet

willvarfar 7y ago
Have you seen these giant wasps in your garden attacking and then releasing the bee? I’ve been assuming mine are a kind of solitary parasitic wasp. I think I’ve actually seen them stabbing the bees with their tails before releasing them. But they definitely look like those hornets you linked to! Just the activity seems wrong.
- yesbabyyes 7y ago
  From the Wikipedia article: > However, they are also known to "hawk" in midair for honeybees near their hive, which they then take down and consume. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet#Problems_associated https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hornet#Problems_assoc...
- fit2rule 7y ago
  I haven't seen them attacking anything but my apricots. ;)

krig 7y ago

Probably a european hornet? They are the biggest I know of here, and are yellow and black. They are harmless to humans and protected.

pvaldes 7y ago
Vespa crabro just are too busy with they own bussiness, and are relatively peaceful, but not harmless to humans. Terrific gentle giants.
- throwanem 7y ago
  The quickest way to see their "not harmless" side is to kill one. As with many colony wasp species, other individuals will smell volatiles released by the corpse, and respond by seeking out whatever killed their sister in order to strongly discourage any further such liberties. So, best leave them well alone. (Unless you're me, and willing to risk a sting in order to get macro shots, although it's not all that much of a risk as long as I'm not near the nest. Never have found any hornets yet, though, sad to say, not even D. maculata.)

DFHippie 7y ago

I read some time in the last few years that Asian giant hornets were migrating into Europe. It's an easier migratory route than across the Pacific. I wonder whether the spread of apiculture has produced a food bridge they can exploit. Here's the first hit I turned up on Google: https://www.thesun.ie/tech/5302630/giant-asian-hornet-invade-britain/ https://www.thesun.ie/tech/5302630/giant-asian-hornet-invade...

Grangar 7y ago

Could it have been a Mammoth Wasp?[1] I've seen one in the Netherlands 2 years ago. Very distinctive pattern on the abdomen. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_wasp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_wasp

throwanem 7y ago
Would a mammoth wasp attack a bee? Scoliids are parasitoids, and this one is described as having a life habit typical of the family. Typically the adults feed only on nectar, unlike the more predatory vespids.
- willvarfar 7y ago
  The markings feel familiar. Of course I am not being objective and need to actually get one in front of me to check when they are in season.
willvarfar 7y ago
Yes! Now I definitely have to check the next one I see or find! It really could be this monster! Will try to get footage of them overpowering then releasing bees. Only problem is how to share my findings in a month or two when they are active!?

rlonn 7y ago

In swedish they're called "bålgeting". They look and sound scary because of their size but are actually non-aggressive and mostly helpful to humans as they prey on regular wasps and aren't interested in our food and drink like regular wasps are. Didn't know they took bees but I guess that makes sense.