Wasp ID, please

ShepherdsBarn · September 2022

Can anyone identify this large wasp, please?
We have had lots of these this summer and, at first, I thought it might be a queen wasp but we have seen far too many for it to be a queen.
It is slightly smaller than a hornet and does not sound like a hornet when in flight. I have never seen such a big wasp before. It measures 25mm.
Any thoughts?

ShepherdsBarn · September 2022

After doing some research, I am wondering if it is the Median wasp.

Dovefromabove · September 2022

There are some larger species of wasps ... I remember a while back when the papers were scaring folk with 'huge Euro Wasps' that make nests that hang in hedgerows rather than in roofs and treetrunks ... I got stung by one in S. Wales once ... when I was eating a 'Honey icecream' . It wasn't too bad ... (the wasp sting I mean ... the ice cream was lovely).

https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/british-wasp-guide-how-to-identify-common-species-lifecycle-and-why-wasps-sting-in-autumn/

Could yours be the Dolchovespula shown in the link?

wild edges · September 2022

There's a good guide to wasp ID here http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds2/insectswaspsidentification.htm Check the thorax markings mainly but I think this one is a hornet. If you have a magnifying glass you can check the number of antennae segments and see if this one is a male or female which might also give you a clue.

ShepherdsBarn · September 2022

Yes, I can see the similarity, we have lots of hornets here - I was stung by a hornet a couple of months ago! ☹️ But these are smaller and do not make the typical 'hornet buzz' in flight.
Thanks for the ID link. 🙂

Wasp ID, please

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