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Message |
    
seidperson
Citizen
Username: Seidperson
Post Number: 109
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 12:20 am: | 
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OK, here's the scenario: My husband, kids and I are in the backyard, we notice one REALLY huge hole in the kids wooden swing playset, clearly, something has been nibbling on it. Husband caulks up the huge hole after poking it with a stick to see if there was anything inside (nope).
A couple of hours later, I notice a group of scary-looking bugs hanging out not far from the hole, plus one sitting right on top of the caulked up hole. I've never seen anything like these bugs before—about four times the size of a regular bee, with big black wings. Looked like they could sting. Now known around my home as the Darth Vader bugs.
ANYONE hae any idea what these things could be?! And whether they were responsible for the hole? I've also noticed a couple of bumblebee-like critters flying around the playset, and I know those could be carpenter bees. But these black bugs freaked me out. |
combustion
Citizen
Username: Spontaneous
Post Number: 330
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 3:32 am: |
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Was the hole perfectly round? Huge bee's? Sounds like Carpenter Bees. They're mostly harmless to people, males are aggressive, but don't have stingers. Females do have stingers, but it apparently takes a lot to piss them off. Just make sure they aren't making holes in the house, they can do quite a bit of damage.
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/struct/ef611.htm |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 552
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9:19 am: |
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Are the black wings solid black or mottled? |
Kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 819
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 11:09 am: |
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Cicada?
Harmless.
Been seeing a few around lately - but I don't think they burrow into wood. |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 554
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 12:42 pm: |
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or any of these:
http://www.giffbeaton.com/Bee%20Flies.htm
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seidperson
Citizen
Username: Seidperson
Post Number: 110
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 11:59 pm: |
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The Darth Vader bugs were most definitely not carpenter bees (I saw a couple of those buzzing around the swing set, too). The hole created was NOT perfectly rounded—it was actually pretty horizontal, and elongated. We thought maybe a woodpecker had done it. Until I saw the Darth Vader bugs and my imagination got the best of me.
The wings were mottled. They didn't look like any in the link Joy sent, nor did they look like that Cicada. Like I said, a mystery. |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 666
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 10:58 am: |
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Cicada killer wasp? (Sorry, I can't figure out how to post a picture, but do a quick image search and you'll find one.) |
Proud Daddy
Citizen
Username: Proud_daddy
Post Number: 47
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:06 pm: |
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Sounds like horntails, sawflies or cicada killers. All three are easily the biggest wasps that we have in the area. Only sawflies and horntails could create the holes you saw other than wood bees (carpenter bees).
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seidperson
Citizen
Username: Seidperson
Post Number: 111
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 9:12 pm: |
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Nope, those things didn't look like any of these. Though "Cicada Killer Wasps" were interesting to hear about!!! I haven't been home from work early enough this week to see if any were hovering around, if I get a chance I'll take a photo and try to show it here for anyone who's curious or can help. I can't get those things out of my mind, I'm telling you, they seemed evil, somehow! |
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