Hornets

[comanche 3,302]

At risk of being nominated for my second THL Darwin Award I had to take these of my favourite insect . Sadly these had to go . I don't have any job satisfaction from dealing with hornets.

[alimac 882]

lucky we only get wasps up here,

[hollands hope 1,024]

its a pity you had to remove them but its part of the job, these european hornets are formidable hunters catching lots of insects even waspnests are not save for them here some footage of japanese hornets look at the size of them compared to the honybees http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=6fTrSOFyfxs

[comanche 3,302]

its a pity you had to remove them but its part of the job, these european hornets are formidable hunters catching lots of insects even waspnests are not save for them here some footage of japanese hornets look at the size of them compared to the honybees http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=6fTrSOFyfxs

Had to go. Only a few feet from the house of an eccentric elderly couple(My parents ). Probably would've been ok until the shorter nights when the hornets would have started entering the house to buzz the lights. Don't worry I gave Mum a Senior Citizen discount

Those Japanese hornets looked very impressive. Once did a bit of unscientific monitoring of a wasp's nest that was near a hornet's nest. The hornets definatly kept the wasps down and by the end of Summer the wasp nest was no bigger than an early season one. Short-staffed I expect!

Anyone know how far North hornets are being found ?

[hollands hope 1,024]

its a pity you had to remove them but its part of the job, these european hornets are formidable hunters catching lots of insects even waspnests are not save for them here some footage of japanese hornets look at the size of them compared to the honybees http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=6fTrSOFyfxs

Had to go. Only a few feet from the house of an eccentric elderly couple(My parents ). Probably would've been ok until the shorter nights when the hornets would have started entering the house to buzz the lights. Don't worry I gave Mum a Senior Citizen discount

Those Japanese hornets looked very impressive. Once did a bit of unscientific monitoring of a wasp's nest that was near a hornet's nest. The hornets definatly kept the wasps down and by the end of Summer the wasp nest was no bigger than an early season one. Short-staffed I expect!

Anyone know how far North hornets are being found ?

i found something about your native hornet its sligtly different to our mainland one(vespa crabro) http://www.vespa-crabro.de/hornet_vespa_crabro_vexator.htm Edited July 17, 2008 by hollands hope

[comanche 3,302]

Thanks for that Holland's Hope I'm sure I've read that references going back to Saxon times and even the Roman occupation indicate that hornets were more widespread over Britain. Mind you I believe that the late Saxon period was warmer than it was today. I think the most important climatic requirement is, as with most insects ,is a mild Spring .

 

Something that struck me was the way the grubs all rasp their jaws down the insides of their cells almost in total unison. I'm guessing that it is to guide adults back to the nest with food. Only a guess so if anyone knows another reason ?

[Phil Lloyd 10,740]

Edited September 17, 2008 by CHALKWARREN

[Malt 379]

Fascinating read guys!

[comanche 3,302]

Thanks for that Holland's Hope I'm sure I've read that references going back to Saxon times and even the Roman occupation indicate that hornets were more widespread over Britain. Mind you I believe that the late Saxon period was warmer than it was today. I think the most important climatic requirement is, as with most insects ,is a mild Spring .

 

Something that struck me was the way the grubs all rasp their jaws down the insides of their cells almost in total unison. I'm guessing that it is to guide adults back to the nest with food. Only a guess so if anyone knows another reason ?

 

Nice informative post Comanche

 

Actualy,.the technical name for these hungry grubs,.is 'Headbangers'....

 

They 'tap,tap,tap,..to attract the adults,....

 

I've started doing that with the wife when I need feeding,. I've found 'clicking my fingers' to be far more successful than banging my head against the headboard,....mind you,..she is leaving me

 

All the best,.CHALKWARREN...

 

"The Germans are coming"....

 

Tell you what. The Headbanging routine works! Gave the nest to the female grand child because "we are doing animals", at school. There was my daughter,her husband and their offspring feeding the the little Quo fans bits of chicken, ham and ,er ,salt n vinegar chip-sticks .They did not touch the choclate cake so I'm starting to lose affinity with em.