Hornet ID (1 Viewer)

While watching kites and buzzards in the Chilterns yesterday I was startled by a hornet which was over 5cm in length.
Would this have been a queen (I'm of the belief that vespa crabro doesn't normally grow this big) or is there another species in the UK?

esmondb said:

While watching kites and buzzards in the Chilterns yesterday I was startled by a hornet which was over 5cm in length.
Would this have been a queen (I'm of the belief that vespa crabro doesn't normally grow this big) or is there another species in the UK?

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Hello Esmond,
5 cm. is too large for both Hornet Wasp and Hornet Clearwing Moth. It's possible you saw a specimen of the large Sawfly Uroceras Gigas they can occasionally reach that size in the female form, and are also yellow and black. They can give people who are not familiar with them quite a fright.

A possible alternative could also be one of the BeeHawk moths if they occur in your area. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Harry