tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post2075695906373241622..comments2023-10-31T15:39:09.651+01:00Comments on box elder: Vespa crabroLucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-69239013473336613692010-09-09T22:57:24.115+02:002010-09-09T22:57:24.115+02:00Evidently I have not done enough to persuade you t...Evidently I have not done enough to persuade you to go read up more about hornets.<br /><br />Regular wasps, like most of the more repugnant other species, are very much dependent on the rubbish and superfluity of human existence, and come to resemble us a little too much for comfort. Although some make the case that they are useful predators, early in the season anyway, this year especially they are extremely abundant and by now more nuisance than useful. They love rotting and fermenting matter of all kinds, especially later in the year, so they are drawn to us and our foodstuffs. They are, if not aggressive, not disinclined to sting us for the hell of it, just because they can, or because they are too drunk to know what they are doing; while calm is a good idea around them, they don't have to be provoked to sting. Frankly I would not discourage anyone from using any means necessary to get rid of them. However, don't try to do it yourself! <br /><br />European hornets, on the other hand, feed very largely on other insects, even when they do turn to sugars later in the year, it is usually tree sap or occasionally ripe fruit still on the tree; they are never attracted to our foods or fermenting matter in any form, so they will not annoy anyone on a picnic or enjoying an al fresco beer or similar, and you will not swallow one, not a hornet anyway, a wasp maybe.<br /><br />Generally they are not disposed to attack and sting if they can help it. The main problem with them is if you threaten their nests, or if they're trapped, I suppose, and because although their sting is not necessarily worse in its composition than an ordinary wasp sting, it is bigger so more painful and potentially dangerous if one is allergic.<br /><br />And they do eat the odd honey bee, but not very many, unlike the Asian ones which I'll come to later. <br /><br />In very hot dry weather especially they need a lot of water, which they take back to the nest and spray on it from their mouths to cool it, which is probably why they hung around above a Provencal swimming pool.<br /><br />Mostly we get very few here, this year is exceptional. Despite all these efforts to get to now them better, I can't say I'm too sorry!<br /><br />I can't really claim to have achieved scientific detachment; I'm not sure many scientists do either, which is rather the matter of the next post...<br /><br />Thanks all for chipping in on a not very attractive subject, which I think perhaps I was rather drawn to as a reaction to a stats inspired need to have a popular and lovable blog!Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-70008994821201699102010-09-09T09:38:00.344+02:002010-09-09T09:38:00.344+02:00It's impossible not to think the little devils...It's impossible not to think the little devils have got it in for humans. Lolling outside a Prague bar, contemplating a half glass of Pilsner Urquell (a tableau oft-repeated during the past week) I watched a special Czech Republic wasp attempt to share the beer with me. He (all wasps are male, I'm convinced) was not discouraged when I raised the glass to my mouth and would, I'm sure, have risked a hideous death down my guzzard had I been equally inclined towards suicide. It's that downward curving fuselage that suggests vindictive purpose. I admire your scientific detachment.Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-47514076884409120192010-09-09T08:07:22.186+02:002010-09-09T08:07:22.186+02:00Lucy, I too have discovered a latent passion for b...Lucy, I too have discovered a latent passion for bugs through blogging, and I'd draw your attention to the site Xenogere run by Jason M Hogle. You'll find a link on my blogroll. Just recently Jason has been posting about his writing and also about a great sadness in his life. Dip into his archive however and you'll find an extraordinary treasury of photographs... he's a first rate with a camera... and nature writings, principally on birds and bugs. He has an incisive and questing intellect, and so the science is always sharp and informative. But he also observes with his heart, and so the mix is potent. Try the site out. You may find it compelling.Clive Hicks-Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00573698513351018726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-39503547998730481032010-09-09T03:49:15.575+02:002010-09-09T03:49:15.575+02:00Oh Lucy, that Hornissenschutz site is nifty city! ...Oh Lucy, that <i>Hornissenschutz</i> site is nifty city! Danke! This reminds me of the time I almost squashed an Orb Weaver out of fear, but something stopped me; I looked them up on the web and found out all sorts of fascinating facts. My fear fled, and that year, I became the proud auntie to hundreds of little Orb Weaver babies.Rouchswalwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393987883437907945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-19547718046980430702010-09-09T01:37:40.219+02:002010-09-09T01:37:40.219+02:00Many compliments come to mind here. I applaud your...Many compliments come to mind here. I applaud your desire to understand things that are typically feared by those who do not know (thanks for your kind words about my latest post which is kind of on the subject of learning rather than fearing). Your attention to detail in studying the bugs and the photos are worthy of praise, I find myself not willing to put out the effort to be so complete more times than not. I am a little concerned that you might get me hooked on insects from these post and give me a new topic to obsess on, just joking. Great stuff.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612222403725370656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-41449614268363766912010-09-08T23:24:15.468+02:002010-09-08T23:24:15.468+02:00Yes... interesting but I think I prefer flowers. I...Yes... interesting but I think I prefer flowers. In fact - I definitely do.Pam https://www.blogger.com/profile/12641269043817163165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-20253579841102118622010-09-08T23:09:32.729+02:002010-09-08T23:09:32.729+02:00I've never had a thing about insects or arachn...I've never had a thing about insects or arachnids, but the hornets that used to buzz us in the pool at my parents' house in the Var were the size of small birds - at least the inch long of the ones in your photo, Lucy. I read your post with great interest and to understand is indeed to forgive to a degree. But I have to admit: those Provençal frelons entered my nightmares!Dickhttp://patteran.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-91863166072774350082010-09-08T21:36:59.859+02:002010-09-08T21:36:59.859+02:00Great photo and fascinating information and links,...Great photo and fascinating information and links, Lucy! I confess to a lot of ignorance about hornets, wasps, bees etc. We used to burn their nests but are learning to tolerate them as we understand their importance in ecology, especially as pollinators, trying to catch those lost indoors and releasing them outdoors, even staying reasonably calm when they come dine with us outdoors by the barbeque. Our grandchildren are becoming fascinated though still a bit fearful as we watch them steal a bit of salmon or hamburger, as we tell them that they take the food to feed their young ones, we think. Love for them is a bit strong a word though in our case. Certainly taking close up photos can be a joy and looking up information is a valuable lesson and I thank you for sharing all this!marja-leenahttp://www.marja-leena-rathje.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-56097573246452293112010-09-08T21:26:41.244+02:002010-09-08T21:26:41.244+02:00I've never allowed myself to be afraid of wee ...I've never allowed myself to be afraid of wee bugges, but I have a lifelong dis-attraction to them. I scroll past photos of them, avoid stories about them, in very much a live and let live (over there if you don't mind) manner.Zhoenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03515663141425057088noreply@blogger.com