A friend sent me this photo

[Butterfly Gardener]

A friend sent me this photo and I am at a loss (in my current drunken haze) to identify it. Help please.

[Sooty]

Bandalux vulgaris

[dilettante]

Looks like a Giant Wood Wasp / Horntail? I remember finding one in my garden when i was a kid. Scary looking things!

[MikeOxon]

Although it looks fearsome, the Greater Horntail or Wood Wasp (Uroceras gigas) is harmless and the 'spike' is actually her ovipositor. She uses this to drill into the bark of trees, where she lays her eggs. I took this photo in Fermyn Wood last year, while I was looking for Purple Emperors. They are frequently found on log piles associated with forestry operations.

Fermyn Wood, Northants- 11 July 2011
Nikon D300s with 70-300VR lens - 1/180sf/5.6 ISO400

Mike

[Butterfly Gardener]

Thanks all.