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starman · Jul 29, 2006, 07:56 PM

About 5-7 years ago (I really don't know when exactly), a guy down the street had a nest of these wasps the size of birds. He would literally swat at them with a tennis racket and there'd be a bunch of them lying in the street.

So, today I go outside to put chemicals in the pool and there's one. Looks like a wasp, but the size of a sparrow. Huge for an insect, about 6-8 inches long. I called my wife and she said that again, that guy was out there this morning swatting at them with a tennis racket.

Does anyone have any idea what these things are? I can't get a decent picture of them.

brassplayersrock² · Jul 29, 2006, 07:59 PM

perhaps....http://whatsthatbug.com/killerwasps.html

be glad theyre not these:
http://www.vespa-crabro.de/manda.htm

Jeff Lebowski · Jul 29, 2006, 08:00 PM

They should put those in a horror movie. I'd go. I bet wikipedia has an answer...

starman · Jul 29, 2006, 08:06 PM

That looks like them but 2"? No, these were bigger. Thanks for the link.

Dark Helmet · Jul 29, 2006, 08:33 PM

Are you sure about the wasp and 6 inches part?

BRussell · Jul 29, 2006, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Looks like a wasp, but the size of a sparrow. Huge for an insect, about 6-8 inches long.

smacintush · Jul 29, 2006, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Are you sure about the wasp and 6 inches part?

Maybe he means six MAN inches where 6" = 1.5"

Dark Helmet · Jul 29, 2006, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

Maybe he means six MAN inches where 6" = 1.5"

ha ha.

well perhaps he meant CM.

Tyre MacAdmin · Jul 29, 2006, 08:48 PM

Can we get a picture of these dead wasps? The Japanese Hornet is huge and has been introduced to America. Cicada Killers are not colony insects so you would not see a whole bunch of them swarming around a certain area. The Japanese hornet is amost the size of the Cicada Killer but it is a colony insect... not to mention if you get stung on the leg you'll go numb for a week or so. In fact you can die from a sting.

hyteckit · Jul 29, 2006, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by starman

That looks like them but 2"? No, these were bigger. Thanks for the link.

Hmm... you live in NJ. Explains the giant 6" wasps.

starman · Jul 29, 2006, 10:09 PM

They're definitely not only 2". Normal wasps around here are like 1", and this is not simply 2x as large. 4" could be a minimum. It was QUITE large.

Wiskedjak · Jul 29, 2006, 11:20 PM

This is big enough

I can't even imagine one twice the size.

Tyre MacAdmin · Jul 30, 2006, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by starman

They're definitely not only 2". Normal wasps around here are like 1", and this is not simply 2x as large. 4" could be a minimum. It was QUITE large.

My honest suggestion would be to call your local insect authority and find out what these things are exactly. I've never heard of a 4 inch wasp before. Not even Japanese Hornets get that big.

smacintush · Jul 30, 2006, 12:53 AM

Are you sure it didn't look like this?

SirCastor · Jul 30, 2006, 12:59 AM

I once mistook one of these for a humming-bird. I imagine other insects could get as large.

The Hawk moth

IceEnclosure · Jul 30, 2006, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak

holy crap.

my hair stands on end at this time.

Y3a · Jul 30, 2006, 05:08 PM

Dragon Fly??

Eug Wanker · Jul 30, 2006, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by starman

About 5-7 years ago (I really don't know when exactly), a guy down the street had a nest of these wasps the size of birds. He would literally swat at them with a tennis racket and there'd be a bunch of them lying in the street.

So, today I go outside to put chemicals in the pool and there's one. Looks like a wasp, but the size of a sparrow. Huge for an insect, about 6-8 inches long. I called my wife and she said that again, that guy was out there this morning swatting at them with a tennis racket.

Does anyone have any idea what these things are? I can't get a decent picture of them.

voodoo · Jul 30, 2006, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by starman

About 5-7 years ago (I really don't know when exactly), a guy down the street had a nest of these wasps the size of birds. He would literally swat at them with a tennis racket and there'd be a bunch of them lying in the street.

So, today I go outside to put chemicals in the pool and there's one. Looks like a wasp, but the size of a sparrow. Huge for an insect, about 6-8 inches long. I called my wife and she said that again, that guy was out there this morning swatting at them with a tennis racket.

Does anyone have any idea what these things are? I can't get a decent picture of them.

No, not unless those things have lungs. You are either lying or seeing things.

V

Eug Wanker · Jul 30, 2006, 07:00 PM

Big insects definitely do exist:

brassplayersrock² · Jul 30, 2006, 07:04 PM

what the?

hyteckit · Jul 30, 2006, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Big insects definitely do exist:

That is one hEug Wanker!

Eug Wanker · Jul 30, 2006, 07:32 PM

P.S. Was it this wasp?

voodoo · Jul 30, 2006, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Big insects definitely do exist:

Yes, that's the one of the biggest in the world. That's also a beetle. Not a fly. It becomes about five to six inches long. The reason for the size of that particular species of beetle is that it does not rely on flying very much. In fact it has to climb up and throw itself off things to get airborne. It is too heavy to become airborne from the ground.

There are no flies of that size. Not even close. There are flies that have a very thin and long body, but they'd hardly be confused for wasps. They look like stick insects if anything.

It is biologically impossible for insects to become larger than the giant beetles.

V

hyteckit · Jul 30, 2006, 07:56 PM

Then again, scientist have a had time explaining how a bumble-bee flies.

starman · Jul 30, 2006, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by voodoo

No, not unless those things have lungs. You are either lying or seeing things.

V

Yeah, I'm lying. I make this sh*t up for attention.

starman · Jul 30, 2006, 08:01 PM

That pic from Wiskedjak is about right. I can't take a pic of something that I can't see, or doesn't land

hyteckit · Jul 30, 2006, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Yeah, I'm lying. I make this sh*t up for attention.

Starman, go snap some pictures man. It's pointless without pictures.

voodoo · Jul 30, 2006, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Yeah, I'm lying. I make this sh*t up for attention.

Apparently. There are no wasps at 6" nor the 'size of birds'.

Six centimeters, yes. Inches, no.

V

starman · Jul 30, 2006, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by voodoo

Apparently. There are no wasps at 6" nor the 'size of birds'.

Six centimeters, yes. Inches, no.

V

When something VERY large, larger than you're used to, whips by you very fast, you'd have a hard time determing the size also.

But LYING?

abbaZaba · Jul 30, 2006, 08:21 PM

I really hate bugs. if I ever saw any of these anywhere near me or flying around my yard while I was mowing the lawn I would not go outside for a week. that beetle....good lord I can just imagine that monster crawling on my bed while I was asleep.

brassplayersrock² · Jul 30, 2006, 08:25 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/algo/29...in/set-663583/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/algo/18...in/set-663583/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/algo/29...in/set-663583/

some really awesome wasp photos i found on flickr. enjoy

Y3a · Jul 30, 2006, 09:16 PM

The two largest wasps are the Cicada killer
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2078A.html

and the Tarantula Hawk wasp
http://www.durangonaturestudies.org/articles/080804.htm

If it isn't those then you were sleeping thru the end of the movie "Them!"

hadocon · Jul 30, 2006, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by hyteckit

Then again, scientist have a had time explaining how a bumble-bee flies.

No they don't. High-speed photography and computer modelling show that bees have a unique flapping style that allows them to generate lift on both the forward and back stroke - they sort-of skull the air in a "treading water" sort of way rather than a typical up-down flap.

torsoboy · Jul 30, 2006, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by starman

When something VERY large, larger than you're used to, whips by you very fast, you'd have a hard time determing the size also.

But LYING?

Originally Posted by starman

So, today I go outside to put chemicals in the pool and there's one. Looks like a wasp, but the size of a sparrow. Huge for an insect, about 6-8 inches long. I called my wife and she said that again, that guy was out there this morning swatting at them with a tennis racket.

Maybe it just sounded like you had a pretty good look at it. Couldn't you have just gone to your neighbor's house and taken a picture of one that he swatted?

starman · Jul 31, 2006, 01:01 AM

Oh, sure, because he just collects them

mitchell_pgh · Jul 31, 2006, 01:31 AM

Sounds interesting, but I can't find any reference of a giant wasp. I would love to see a picture of one.

Do you live near a nuclear power plant or a genetic research facility?

Y3a · Jul 31, 2006, 05:37 AM

Of course, you COULD HAVE BEEN WRONG about the size!

Wasps, flying ants etc have a limitation as to how big you can be and STILL FLY...

Tyre MacAdmin · Jul 31, 2006, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Oh, sure, because he just collects them

Dude you're going to have to get one on tape or I'm just not believing you. 4' inch wasps in NJ means a new species of wasp. No really.

ShortcutToMoncton · Jul 31, 2006, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by Y3a

Wasps, flying ants etc have a limitation as to how big you can be and STILL FLY...

Muahahahaha!!! Comparative Environmental Physiology once again makes up for its living hell of a 75% final and lets me understand why people say this! Wooohoooo!

greg

d4nth3m4n · Jul 31, 2006, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Do you live near a nuclear power plant or a genetic research facility?

worse, new jersey.

starman, what about asking your neighbor?

beb · Jul 31, 2006, 08:44 AM

At least they aren't yellow jackets. My old girlfriend had a run in with some of those things a couple of years ago.

Y3a · Jul 31, 2006, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

Muahahahaha!!! Comparative Environmental Physiology once again makes up for its living hell of a 75% final and lets me understand why people say this! Wooohoooo!

greg

They are NOT like dragonflys which can get to almost a foot in length, and with a 17 inch or so wingspan, but they also fly a different way than an ant or wasp(which are in the same family).

I think this is more of an error in judgement as to actual length. The same way an untrained observer might mistake something else as a UFO, or misjudge the size based on other factors.

starman · Jul 31, 2006, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Y3a

Of course, you COULD HAVE BEEN WRONG about the size!

Wasps, flying ants etc have a limitation as to how big you can be and STILL FLY...

I'M NOT DENYING THAT I WAS.

But I just don't have one in front of me.

Y3a · Jul 31, 2006, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by starman

I'M NOT DENYING THAT I WAS.

But I just don't have one in front of me.

Did you check out any of the links I posted?

brassplayersrock² · Jul 31, 2006, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Y3a

Did you check out any of the links WE posted?

!fixed!

imitchellg5 · Jul 31, 2006, 11:16 AM

I have seen 6 inch long wasps in Saudi Arabia, I about passed out when I saw one.

Tyre MacAdmin · Jul 31, 2006, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

I have seen 6 inch long wasps in Saudi Arabia, I about passed out when I saw one.

This is why I hate looking through "school books" for the largest, tallest, deadliest ..etc Somebody suddenly in Saudi Arabia (And I have no doubt you've seen that wasp) sees something never recorded in any American book (but should have been) and totaly throws off my faith on anything I've ever read scientifically.

- Case in point: everybody says the Black Widow spider is most deadly but then last night on the "Scientific Channel" They say it's the Funnel Spider. Where's that icon that's beating it's head against a wall? Oh there it is

Y3a · Jul 31, 2006, 11:58 AM

Well, I've called a few entomologists I know, and looked for "Biggest Wasp" on the intarweb, but The Tarantula Hawk seems to be the biggest. I'd LOVE to see pictures of a 6 inch job!

torsoboy · Jul 31, 2006, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Oh, sure, because he just collects them

If he was swatting them I figured you could just go take a picture of one of the swatted ones. You sound a bit defensive here... I was just hoping to see a 4 inch wasp.