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

    Joined:
    May 29, 2011
    Messages:
    283
    Ratings:
    +120
    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:
     
  2. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2011
    Messages:
    4,495
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gardener & Plant Sales
    Location:
    South Derbyshire
    Ratings:
    +6,655
    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
     
  3. Elizabeth13

    Elizabeth13 Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2011
    Messages:
    273
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Nurse
    Location:
    Sheffield
    Ratings:
    +121

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

    I rather like hoverfly's
     
  4. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    4,099
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    soon to be bus driver
    Location:
    Derby
    Ratings:
    +2,250
    They defend their territory by flying at each other to chase the intruder off. You were in his space lol!
     
  5. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    10,282
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    South East Wales
    Ratings:
    +2,882
    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:
     
  6. catztail

    catztail Crazy Cat Lady

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    4,099
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    soon to be bus driver
    Location:
    Derby
    Ratings:
    +2,250
    Oh and their larvae eat greenfly etc so are super beneficial!!!!
     
  7. Plant Potty

    Plant Potty Gardener

    Joined:
    May 29, 2011
    Messages:
    283
    Ratings:
    +120
    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:
     
  8. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

    Ratings:
    +0
    Next time, just hold your finger up, they like having a look at fingers for some unapparent reason:what:
     
  9. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    34,085
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +54,159
    Or get it to help with the vacuuming, oh no, hang on thats a hoover-fly :)
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Plant Potty

      Plant Potty Gardener

      Joined:
      May 29, 2011
      Messages:
      283
      Ratings:
      +120
      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:
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jul 3, 2006
        Messages:
        67,365
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired - Last Century!!!
        Location:
        Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
        Ratings:
        +134,410
        But don't hold up two fingers or you might upset it! :heehee:
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • daitheplant

          daitheplant Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Dec 19, 2006
          Messages:
          10,282
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          South East Wales
          Ratings:
          +2,882

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

          Plant Potty Gardener

          Joined:
          May 29, 2011
          Messages:
          283
          Ratings:
          +120
          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.:)
           
        • daitheplant

          daitheplant Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Dec 19, 2006
          Messages:
          10,282
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          South East Wales
          Ratings:
          +2,882
        Loading...

        Share This Page

        1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
          By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
          Dismiss Notice