I have absolutely no idea what it is. Can anyone help me identify it?
It was quite docile, and calmly let me set up tripod, macro lens, off-camera flash and poke a lens about 10 cm from it without the slightest apparent qualms. When it moved around the frond into what I considered a less than ideal position, I was able to gently nudge it back into position, which it then steadfastly maintained for the next 10 minutes.
It looks like a hornet, so perhaps I was lucky, but I truly have no idea.
We live in Mitcham, outer-suburban Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Thanks for your comment. Small, or in this case quite large, insects are not my normal genre, but it was so colourful I thought I’d give it a try. And I was curious as to what is was. Cheers, BigAl
– Allan Savage
Pretty sure now that this is a type of sawfly. In which case, I’m going to keep a close watch on my tress and shrubs, because sawfly larvae roam in packs and can destroy a medium-sized shrub in a day or two.
Never saw anything like this in Minnesota!! (We lived in beautiful downtown Minnetonka for about 6 months, over winter!!)
Nice image Allan,and great detail. It may be a Potter Wasp,but it is slightly different
Thanks. Probably disagree though. Potter Wasps I know, and they have a really skinny thorax. Just googled Australian Hornet, and the colour and shape seems all wrong. However, since I know nothing about these, I should defer to your opinion. Cheers, BigAl
– Allan Savage
Based on my amateur investigation, I’m wondering if it wasn’t a type of sawfly. Not sure, but that’s the closest match I can find.
Comments
Excellent!
Thanks for your comment. Small, or in this case quite large, insects are not my normal genre, but it was so colourful I thought I’d give it a try. And I was curious as to what is was. Cheers, BigAl
– Allan Savage
Pretty sure now that this is a type of sawfly. In which case, I’m going to keep a close watch on my tress and shrubs, because sawfly larvae roam in packs and can destroy a medium-sized shrub in a day or two.
Never saw anything like this in Minnesota!! (We lived in beautiful downtown Minnetonka for about 6 months, over winter!!)
– Allan Savage
Nice image Allan, great detail. I haven’t seen this one around here, but could be a Potter wasp or Aust. Hornet
Nice image Allan,and great detail. It may be a Potter Wasp,but it is slightly different
Thanks. Probably disagree though. Potter Wasps I know, and they have a really skinny thorax. Just googled Australian Hornet, and the colour and shape seems all wrong. However, since I know nothing about these, I should defer to your opinion. Cheers, BigAl
– Allan Savage
Based on my amateur investigation, I’m wondering if it wasn’t a type of sawfly. Not sure, but that’s the closest match I can find.
– Allan Savage
I liked this so much… Guess what?
CONGRATULATIONS Allan!
Enjoy the Features February 25/2012
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers, Jo ;)
Congrats on your feature in Insects, Bugs and Creepy Crawlies
Great macro what ever it is. Congratulations on the feature.
How lucky you are to have captured this colorful guy so wonderfully! I really have no idea what it is, but, I love your work!