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Can anyone tell me if this is a wasp or a bee

16 replies

InDIYHell · 08/07/2022 11:50

I've found a number of these in my house the last couple of weeks and assume there is a nest nearby. We had a wasps nest last year but these look different? Does anyone know what they are please?

Can anyone tell me if this is a wasp or a bee
OP posts:
TinyBearCub · 08/07/2022 11:58

Looks like a wasp to me. Is it smaller than a wasp? Hover fly if so?

Marcipex · 08/07/2022 12:02

It looks like a wasp.
apparently the way to stop wasps nesting near you is to hang up a fake nest. They assume there’s a local population and move on.
you can buy the fake nests online or make one with papier-mâché over a balloon

DownNative · 08/07/2022 12:10

It's not a wasp, but a European Hornet.

Can anyone tell me if this is a wasp or a bee
UnaOfStormhold · 08/07/2022 12:11

How big is it?

InDIYHell · 08/07/2022 12:27

Thanks everyone! Size would have helped - just short of 2cm from head to wing tip. Looks smaller that a standard wasp to me! I'll buy a fake nest but assume it's a bit late for this one? I'll try and locate it and won't feel so guilty if I decide to get rid.

OP posts:
Cattenberg · 08/07/2022 12:27

My relative who keeps bees thinks it’s a European Hornet.

Cattenberg · 08/07/2022 12:30

Relative just said that European Hornets are bigger than wasps. So perhaps it’s some kind of hoverfly?

BeetleManiac · 08/07/2022 12:35

This is neither a wasp nor a bee nor a hornet. It's a hoverfly, totally harmless. It's a Volucella species, possibly V. zonaria.

Obvious fly features - only 1 pair of wings (2 pairs for bees and wasps) and short antennae.

GlisteningGoldGrasses · 08/07/2022 12:37

Do you have a better photo? I think it looks like a hoverfly, some species are quite large, but it's hard to tell from the photo. It's eyes look hoverfly-like. I don't think it's a common wasp.

GerundTheBehemoth · 08/07/2022 12:38

It is a hoverfly. Looks like Volucella inanis. Presence of several indoors may indicate presence of a wasp nest, as its larvae are parasitic on wasp larvae.

InDIYHell · 08/07/2022 12:44

This is fascinating! Definitely only a single wing. I'll set out camp this weekend as there's bound to be a wasps nest, we have open eaves.

I'm struggling to zoom in with my camera.

Can anyone tell me if this is a wasp or a bee
OP posts:
riesenrad · 08/07/2022 12:45

Yes it's a hoverfly.

perimenofertility · 08/07/2022 13:08

That's a honey bee (not a bumblebee or wasp).

bagsofbats · 08/07/2022 13:21

Wasps have waists, hover flies havent.

Hth

BrimFullOfAsher · 08/07/2022 13:31

A hoverfly? Really?

Do hoverflies still bite/sting though?

It looks like it has a waist though? (For PP who said flies don't have waists but wasps/bees do?)

BeetleManiac · 08/07/2022 13:52

Underside photo looks good for Volucella inanis.

@BrimFullOfAsher no, hoverflies don't bite or sting.

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