This beast...?

[NickB]

This large wasp(?) landed nearby at the weekend...
Any ideas...?

male Giant Wood Wasp (Urocerus gigas)

male Giant Wood Wasp (Urocerus gigas)

N

[Catteraxe]

Maybe a type of Sphecid wasp, or an Ichneumon?

[NickB]

...h'mmm I just don't know! It could equally be a mimic longhorn beetle or something like a wood-wasp, or some equally bizarre fly, for all I can find
Edit: I would post on the British Wasps Bees and Ants website - if I didn't have to register for Yahoo to do that
I DON'T WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF YAHOO JUST TO JOIN A FORUM OR POST A PIC .........
Unlike UKB, which is simple and does not involve joining up for anything else...

[Lee Hurrell]

Hi Nick,

Now you've said beetle...I can't see a wasp in there at all. I've never seen a wasp with legs or antennae like that.... but I know that doesn't help much!

Cheers

Lee

[millerd]

My little "Oxford Book of Insects" has a picture of something like this - a male Giant Wood Wasp (Urocerus gigas). Otherwise known as the Giant Horntail, as the female has a startling-looking ovipositor. A quick scan of the internet supports this idea somewhat.

Dave

[Lee Hurrell]

And I've never seen a Giant Wood Wasp either....

[NickB]

Neither had I! Thanks millerd - male Giant Wood Wasp (Urocerus gigas)
I saw a picture or two of the female - but not of the male!
N