HUGE Wasp - patio downtown Denver - Ask Extension
Hi there, I have a 2000 sq ft patio at Speer and 11th ave, Denver. I planter flowers to attract bees and butterflies this year. Replacing what attrac...
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HUGE Wasp - patio downtown Denver #772343
Asked September 20, 2021, 4:18 AM EDT
Hi there, I have a 2000 sq ft patio at Speer and 11th ave, Denver. I planter flowers to attract bees and butterflies this year. Replacing what attracted Japanese Beatles. Maybe 3 Beatles spotted. But swarms of wasps have driven off the good bees. The huge bee scares the hell out of me. Is this some kind of queen? Can you please help me? Could there be a nest in my planters or a fixture. I’m including a photo of my setup. When I get stung. I swell like I’ve been beaten. Thank you for your time, Judy
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
This is a horntail wasp, probably the one known as the pigeon tremex. See http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/pigeon-tremex-horntail-and-the-giant-ichneumon-wasp-5-604/ and https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/arthropodsofcolorado/Sirex-Horntails.pdf