This thing tried to eat me today!

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Plant Potty, Jul 1, 2011.

  1. Plant Potty

    Plant Potty Gardener

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    It would'nt go away, I shadow boxed it three strate rounds before it stopped on the leaf for a rest, very loud buzz on it and it seemed agresive, I've never seen one before, anyone know its name? and does it sting? it deffo acted like it could sting, or is it a fly in wolfs clothing:scratch: the foto does'nt show the size well, its about the size of a bumble bee....

    [​IMG]

    Plant Potty.:help:
     
    Plant Potty, Jul 1, 2011
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  2. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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    Just a harmless hoverfly, I know sometimes they seem to enjoy buzzing from one ear to the next, but it wouldn't hurt a fly (sorry; that was bad :D)

    volucella inanis photo - Google Search
     
    Bilbo675, Jul 1, 2011
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  3. Elizabeth13

    Elizabeth13 Gardener

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    I was going to say, it looks like a hoverfly?
    Tell-tale signs is the classic hovering :D

    I rather like hoverfly's
     
    Elizabeth13, Jul 1, 2011
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  4. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    They defend their territory by flying at each other to chase the intruder off. You were in his space lol!
     
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  5. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    As Bilbo says, it`s just a Hoverfly. Check the rear end of any stripey insect, if it has a sting attached it`s not a hoverfly.:D:dbgrtmb:
     
    daitheplant, Jul 1, 2011
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  6. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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    Oh and their larvae eat greenfly etc so are super beneficial!!!!
     
    catztail, Jul 1, 2011
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  7. Plant Potty

    Plant Potty Gardener

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    Thank god for that:thumbsup: panic over lol, in my defence I would say we have hover flys but they are the size of a house fly, this type of hover fly was huge the size of a bumble bee, the leaf its on is very big, you can judge better by the ivy leaf in the photo, anyway thanks, so its safe to go back in the garden then:rolleyespink:

    Plant Potty.:heehee:
     
    Plant Potty, Jul 1, 2011
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  8. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    Next time, just hold your finger up, they like having a look at fingers for some unapparent reason:what:
     
    Phil A, Jul 1, 2011
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  9. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Or get it to help with the vacuuming, oh no, hang on thats a hoover-fly :)
     
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      JWK, Jul 1, 2011
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    • Plant Potty

      Plant Potty Gardener

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      but what if its not a hover fly n bites my finger off?:dunno:

      lol John, its been near six years since the last time I was attacked in the garden, last time was a HUGE angry thing the size of a very large dragon fly but shaped like a wasp with an inch long needle out the back:what: that turned out to be a wood wasp, they dont sting its a probe they use to put their eggs deep in cracks in tree bark.

      So no, hover flys dont hoover, and wood wasps aint made of wood:scratch:

      Plant Potty.:heehee:
       
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        Plant Potty, Jul 1, 2011
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        But don't hold up two fingers or you might upset it! :heehee:
         
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          shiney, Jul 2, 2011
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        • daitheplant

          daitheplant Total Gardener

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          PP that would have been a hornet. Nasty, viscious things, they put wasps to shame.:cry3:
           
          daitheplant, Jul 2, 2011
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        • Plant Potty

          Plant Potty Gardener

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          We had a few of them when I used to live in the country, but I've never seen one in town (so far):yess:
          I live on a council estate, I could start I war doing that:D

          Plant Potty.:)
           
          Plant Potty, Jul 2, 2011
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        • daitheplant

          daitheplant Total Gardener

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          PP. You have now.:dbgrtmb:
           
          daitheplant, Jul 3, 2011
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