Not a plant identification but an insect... (close up pic of insect)

[toomuchtooold]

Anyone know what this bad boy is? I was merrily trying string onto my polytunnel to plant out my tomatoes and I almost put my hand on him. Have now retreated to the house to habe a stuff brandy wait for him to wake up and fly off.

Not sure of scale, is it wasp? If bigger, then hornet?

Just looks like a bumblebee to me, nothing to worry about. They have all sorts of colour schemes; the hairyness is the main thing.
If it was a wasp or hornet, they would have very virulent black & yellow stripes. And not be hairy.

It's big - it's about 4cm long. But it is hairy so you reckon a bumblebee? I'm not used to this much biodiversity - grew up in Scotland in a concrete housing estate, and now I live in south Germany. The garden and its inhabitants are way more in your face than I'm used to!

Yes I reckon Bumblebee. If it's being a bit lazy you could pop some sugar water on a teaspoon and offer it, they will often have a quick drink. If you'd rather just leave it be then it'll probably warm up and head off soon.

That is some sort of Wasp or hornet, definitely not a bee.

At 4cm long that's a hornet.
Like a huge wasp
And they make a loud droning noise when they fly.

We have had several hornet's nests, so I know what they look like.

Was talking to a beekeeper yesterday who said that refined sugar is not ideal for bees. He leaves plenty of honey for his to overwinter and has never lost a colony.

That's a hornet! Much more common in mainland Europe. It's a big one looking to start a colony for the year.
They sting, but unless you are allergic it's no worse than a wasp. I'd strongly discourage it from setting up home in your poly tunnel though!!

Refined sugar isn’t great for overwintering bees, much better to leave some of their own honey but white sugar is fine for reviving exhausted individuals. Don’t give honey to tired bees you find as it can transfer bee diseases.