[Misc] Queen Wasps

[BN9 BHA]

We had about half a dozen stings at work this year, all from bees. Admittedly, we did have a couple of hives near by.

Had the usual bit of wasp bothering at break times and not a single sting.

See, it works both ways.

I also got stung by a wasp when I was eating crisps, it just landed on my fingers and stung me.
Never been stung by a bee in my life, always many of them in my garden when I’m out there in warm weather.

 

[portlock seagull]

View attachment 143080

Honestly, if people don’t know the difference then they need shooting. Basically a Bee is like a Spitfire (good guys) whereas Wasps are the Messerschmitt 109s (bad guys). This is how to remember and should be taught in SCHOOLS!

 

[portlock seagull]

I also got stung by a wasp when I was eating crisps, it just landed on my fingers and stung me.
Never been stung by a bee in my life, always many of them in my garden when I’m out there in warm weather.

For first time in about 40years I too got stung a couple years ago by a Wasp, on the hand. It flipping hurt too! As it flew away, I swear I heard in a low tannoy accent “Ya Ya, strike confirmed, returning to zee base” the evil little little sod!

 

[Thunder Bolt]

They should have put number two as number one. That's the real truth of it, because humans tend to be cvnts like that when it comes to our fellow creatures.

Also, 1,3 and 4 also applies to Wasps

So basically, that poster is just a load of old bollox. Other than that, as you were.

It is because it only refers to one variety of bee, the honey bee. I was stung three times in quick succession by a bumble bee, which then flew off. It had got caught just under the hem of my skirt, and stung my knee.

Wasps are important in the eco system because they also pollinate, but are a food source for birds.

 

[Chicken Run]

I think the worry is that as Winters become warmer, Queen Wasps can awake from hibernation too soon and then starve to death when there's not enough food around to sustain them.

Whilst I acknowledge your interest in this particular insect let me place on record that I won’t be worrying that they starve to death [emoji106]

#teambee


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

We have a large lavender bush at the front of our house. I've pruned it back now, but when it's in flower, it's always got several bees on it. It's easy to grow, attractive and feeds the bees.

Any tips on pruning lavender? My efforts in the past have killed the plants.

 

[zefarelly]

 

[BNthree]

Met a researcher that studies wasps and they were bitterly telling me they find it very hard to get research grants to fund their study as everyone loves bees and hates wasps. If they studied bees they could get loads of funding!

 

[Eric the meek]

Any tips on pruning lavender? My efforts in the past have killed the plants.

We planted it in an area about a metre wide between the drive and the front path, some years ago, since when it's taken over, and its gnarled trunk has come to resemble that of an olive tree.

To be fair, I'm not sure it is still alive. One tip for pruning, is to check the victim is till alive after you've pruned it.

Based on my experience, my tip would be not to prune it until you can't physically get past it to get into it the house. Then you know you've got a fighting chance.

Sorry I can't be of any more help.

 

[Dorset Seagull]

View attachment 143083

Definitely a Queen

 

[zefarelly]

We planted it in an area about a metre wide between the drive and the front path, some years ago, since when it's taken over, and its gnarled trunk has come to resemble that of an olive tree.

To be fair, I'm not sure it is still alive. One tip for pruning, is to check the victim is till alive after you've pruned it.

Based on my experience, my tip would be not to prune it until you can't physically get past it to get into it the house. Then you know you've got a fighting chance.

Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Ours was almost 2m cubed in volume, had a split trunk, but keeps coming back, it is cloaked in bees most of the time from spring until late summer, have even spotted a 'hummingbird' hawk moth having a snack a few years ago.

 

[Weststander]

Any tips on pruning lavender? My efforts in the past have killed the plants.

After flowering, give it a haircut of pruning all spent flower-stalks and just a half of the year's 'green' growth. Never into old wood.

 

[1066familyman]

It is because it only refers to one variety of bee, the honey bee. I was stung three times in quick succession by a bumble bee, which then flew off. It had got caught just under the hem of my skirt, and stung my knee.

Wasps are important in the eco system because they also pollinate, but are a food source for birds.

The common wasp, that so many people seem to hate, is an amazing creature. We should treasure them.

https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/common-wasp/

 

[Saladpack Seagull]

I have never been stung by a wasp, but as a much younger man on my motorbike, a big old dumbledore found my only piece of exposed flesh between my leathers and my full-face helmet! At first I thought a stone had been flicked up by the car in front but the steadily increasing pain in my throat told me otherwise! When I reached my destination, I found the bee dead just inside my collar. It was sheer bad luck for him and for me that he hit the only bit of me that he could possibly sting!

 

[Wardy's twin]

4 pages in and no mention of me and i don't sting and my larva eat green fly....

 

[Wardy's twin]

and a compariView attachment IMGP7744.jpgson...

 

[1066familyman]

and a compariView attachment 143126son...

Magnificent picture! Thanks.

There's something particularly fascinating too about the almost flat body of a hoverfly.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Need to encourage people to have ivy growing in the garden, though it can become very dominant . It provides good shelter against rain and provides food late in the year , these were taken in early October but the flowers and nectar are around until late
November....

 

[Wardy's twin]

another maligned creature which helps with pollination ...

 

[1066familyman]

another maligned creature which helps with pollination ...

View attachment 143128

Amen to that on flies.

Mushrooms especially, like Stinkhorns, require flies to spread their spores. And the world is finally waking up to the importance of mushrooms, especially regarding their relationship with trees.

And let's not forget Lords and Ladies. Ooh err Missus!