Posted by ChrisR on 30-09-2005 16:11
#2
Mmm - lovely - wish we got those this far north. Looks like a member of the Scoliidae to me - definitely a wasp :D Harmless to humans - my book says they are parasitoids of the larvae of large Scarabaeidea (chafer and scarab beetles). I saw a different species with orange spots in Turkey, which was about 4-5cm long - incredible creatures.
Chris
Posted by lynkos on 30-09-2005 21:15
#3
Chris is right, it does have many of the characteristics of a Scoliidae, although I've never seen a species such as this myself. Here is a picture of one of the largest members, the extraordinary Scolia flavifrons
http://www.lynkos...-n17-f.htm, photographed near Rome in Italy. Amazing creature! Sarah