Big a$$ scary insect
PhoenixWench
maybe someone here might recognize this formidable critter.
I am in the Catskills, and have been feeding both the hummingbirds and
more recently a small swarm of honey bees. This year the yellow jackets
and bumbles joined in at the buffet, and as if they know I am helping
them they have been surprisingly peaceable - not one sting.
Today, however, I found my calm shattered when I was refilling some
feeders and noticed a new visitor. This thing was between 1 1/2 and 2
inches long, mostly black or dark brown it was in the shade so I'm not
positive, no obvious body stripes, what appeared to be a single set of
wings the length of the body, kept swept back neatly along the stocky
body - not held out to the side when at rest, and 6 bright yellow
powerful looking legs. No long ovipositor and if it had a sting I didn't
see it, but at that size I didn't get too close
Fast too! One moment I was watching it, trying to memorize it - so
unusual - then I blinked and it was airborne near my ear - no noticeable
sound, but there were so many buzzing around I can't be sure. I ran!
Later I thought to go for my camera, but by the time I got back it was
gone. If I see it again I will try to get a picture, but it scared the
p!$$ out of me! I have been working to learn all the US native bees, but
this thing looked like Godzilla next to the relatively puny yellow jackets!
I hope my observational skills alone will help ID this monster but will
attempt to snap a picture if it returns. If I get one I will post it on
my Flickr site as well as the forum.
The closest I have come to it in my online searches is this;
http://wiki.bugwood.org/File:BYMudDauber1B.jpg
which bears a striking resemblance to my mystery critter.
However mine was just under 2" and these only get to a hair over 1"
This ones wings do not cover the back of the thorax as mine did
and the legs on this are not completely yellow - mine were completely a
startling brilliant yellow, and sturdier than the daubers.
Any notions??
--
PhoenixWench
Toleration is not the opposite of intolerance but the counterfeit of it.
Both are despotisms: the one assumes to itself the right of withholding
liberty of conscience, the other of granting it.
-- Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phoenixwench/
http://community.webshots.com/user/Slywlf
http://slywlf.livejournal.com/
http://phoenix-awaken.blogspot.com/
http://www.appletreemotelcatskills.com
http://slywlf-movealongnothingtoseehere.blogspot.com/