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Old 12-01-21, 05:11 AM
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Default Garden Critters

Hi Guys,

Since it is the middle of summer here I decided to water blast the decks and re-stain them.

This little critter poped his head up to see what all the fuss was.

Known as Wally Weta cos' its a boy instead of Wilamina Weta if it's a girl.

I think the one shown is a tree weta because it lives under decks (and other places).

Harmless, but not the sort of thing you want to find in yer knickers...

Chris
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Old 12-01-21, 10:36 AM
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Snapped this spider in work last September, a bit large for my liking, but probably small in comparison to what can be found.
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Old 12-01-21, 02:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hagwalther View Post
Hi Guys,

Since it is the middle of summer here I decided to water blast the decks and re-stain them.

This little critter poped his head up to see what all the fuss was.

Known as Wally Weta cos' its a boy instead of Wilamina Weta if it's a girl.

I think the one shown is a tree weta because it lives under decks (and other places).

Harmless, but not the sort of thing you want to find in yer knickers...

Chris


I recall seeing a Wetas when I was working at Manapouri power station. Deep underground. It was probably quite a nice environment for them. Nicer little dudes than the sand flies at the surface. I'm back on the other side of the planet and still have sand fly nightmares.
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Old 12-01-21, 06:13 PM
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I take photos of unusual 'critters' in the garden too. Stag beetle last year was a beauty.

Chris

Last edited by CAM; 12-01-21 at 06:13 PM. Reason: Typo
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Old 12-01-21, 06:21 PM
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Blimey Chris. Looks like it’s got some jaws. Harmless by Oz standards maybe but I bet if you pee’d it off it could bite and you’d feel it?
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Old 12-01-21, 06:23 PM
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This thread has reminded me, I forgot to photograph the huge queen hornet I found in the woods today. I was busy and it slipped my mind

I just googled them, it was actually an Asian Hornet. Also called a Murder Hornet.
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Last edited by Phil2M; 12-01-21 at 06:31 PM.
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Old 12-01-21, 06:35 PM
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Looks like yours is only the second reported sighting this year?

Rob

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...t-uk-sightings
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Old 12-01-21, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil2M View Post
This thread has reminded me, I forgot to photograph the huge queen hornet I found in the woods today. I was busy and it slipped my mind

I just googled them, it was actually an Asian Hornet. Also called a Murder Hornet.
That is very bad news!

We live near Epping Forest and a bush on a corrugated roof opposite our garden has flowers which the bees and wasps love. It is also regularly frequented by hornets who as well as taking interest in said plant also snatch bees and wasps mid air and carry them off. I am quite sure they’re native sort thankfully. When you see them fly they’re like aeroplanes compared to normal wasps, you can see them way off in the distance.

If the asian hornet is here that is very bad news indeed.

Last edited by Luke H; 13-01-21 at 12:55 AM. Reason: Typo
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Old 13-01-21, 01:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Rob Miller View Post
Looks like yours is only the second reported sighting this year?

Rob

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...t-uk-sightings
I've seen them flying around more than once. I was unaware what they were until earlier. I may have to send an email to DEFRA, or at least throw the information at my manager and let him decide.

As Luke said, its like helicopters flying over head.
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Old 13-01-21, 01:16 AM
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Definitely call it in with DEFRA.

Last thing we need on top of covid is the ‘murder hornet’ taking hold! Signs of the apocalypse I hear.

Do you still have the pic you took? Be interested to see it. If memory serves they’re very, very large and grey/black.
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Old 13-01-21, 01:22 AM
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I didn't take a picture as I forgot. I had gloves on and was busy so didn't get my phone out my pocket. It was still there but i packed up tools and left without thinking. Huge, orange and black. Orange head, thin wings and hard legs, It was on my glove at one point. I think it was hibernating or unwell when I disturbed it, I'll see if its still there tomorrow morning. At the time I also didn't think it was anything I may not see up close again. I suspect the cold may kill it so i will put it in a specimen jar if its there.
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Old 13-01-21, 01:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Miller View Post
Looks like yours is only the second reported sighting this year?

Rob

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...t-uk-sightings
First this year, it’s 2021!

Thanks for the link. Far more than I thought over the last few years, clearly there must be plenty of them out there.

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Originally Posted by Phil2M View Post
I didn't take a picture as I forgot. I had gloves on and was busy so didn't get my phone out my pocket. It was still there but i packed up tools and left without thinking. Huge, orange and black. Orange head, thin wings and hard legs, It was on my glove at one point. I think it was hibernating or unwell when I disturbed it, I'll see if its still there tomorrow morning. At the time I also didn't think it was anything I may not see up close again. I suspect the cold may kill it so i will put it in a specimen jar if its there.
Ah I see. Probably hibernating, they do go very dozy in the autumn then disappear until spring.

The colouration of the things seems very varied. The one on wiki is very dark hence my previous statement but looking through google images the colour seems very similar to the European Hornet in some cases. Only thing that’s grabbed me is the head is unusually large and ungainly looking. Both species seem to have very similar wings.
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Old 13-01-21, 07:57 PM
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Default HORNETS

Not Asian but this one was in my composter.

Chris
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