Large wasp ID please

[womble]

As I understand it a European hornet hunts by itself and while it does hunt honey bees sometimes it will only take what it can by itself, so if you are a beekeeper you don't want a hornets nest next to your hives, losing a few isn't that bad.
One of the Asian types of hornet is apparently the big bee killer and when one finds a nest, it leaves scents which the others from the nest will home in on and will destroy the nest eventually.
I think there have been confirmed sightings of this Asian hornet in Kent where they have come from France.

And I would presume that spiders are a good thing, because they keep pests down, wasps do also in Spring and early summer, they also are eaten by hornets.

[FionaH]

Womble the hornets in my kitchen could have eaten ME!

[pauco]

Last few nights we have had some really large wasp like creatures in the kitchen. They are about an inch and a half to two inches long Brown and yellow stripes and seem to only come out at night and are attracted to the light. Just had anotherone flying at the kitchen window trying to get in. Any ideas what they might be? MrH thinks it might be a european hornet

Its a Hornet, (Vespa-crabro) our largest wasp.

[Pies]

Its a Hornet, (Vespa-crabro) our largest wasp.

Think again

Kent News - Giant Asian hornets 'killing off our honey bees'

[Two_Sheds]

Last few nights we have had some really large wasp like creatures in the kitchen. ...seem to only come out at night and are attracted to the light. ...MrH thinks it might be a european hornet

Think again

The Asian Hornet doesn't fly at night, but the European one does.

Apparently.
Asian Hornet - Vespa velutina nigrithorax - Frelon asiatique - France

[pauco]

Think again

Kent News - Giant Asian hornets 'killing off our honey bees'

Always willing to learn, could you enlighten me?

[Pies]

I was refering to the hornet being or largest wasp,when the Asian hornet arrives,which it will it will devistate our bees

[pauco]

I was refering to the hornet being or largest wasp,when the Asian hornet arrives,which it will it will devistate our bees

It sure looks like it! Our Honey Bees already have had a very bad time of late.
This they dont need.

[FionaH]

Terrific, just found a HUGE one in the greenhouse!

[Pies]

they are not normally aggressive, unlike the wasp

[FionaH]

they are not normally aggressive, unlike the wasp

No but it was VERY big. Did not fancy being in a small greenhouse with it!

[sulia]

Don't worry too much! If it is indeed a European hornet (and I saw a queen the other day, a huge thing, about 5cms long) they are far less aggressive than wasps, and seldom attack....they are attracted by dark and light/bright colours and loud noises, and if, like me, you were wearing dark navy uniform and screaming like a banshee as I was then the creature will be curious....But the hornet flew off in search of more interesting things!

[lizzylemon]

This might help. But I wonder if they're queen wasps coming out looking to start a new nest. We've had stack of them just recently.

http://www.waspnestbristol.co.uk/insect%20ID.jpg