I met a funny fellow earlier this evening. While processing some reprint orders in the office, I went to grab the stapler and got a funny little “Watch Out” sound and a tickle on my finger. To my surprise I had just bumped into the Australian Hornet (Abispa ephippium). He’d caught me off guard, as I did he, and if looks could kill I tell ya, I thought i was a dead man. This insect was the most menacing looking I’ve ever seen.
It turns out though, Mr Ephippium just said g’day and kept pottering along and jumped onto the ink pad. Apparently these guys are pretty docile and really only interested in caterpillars, actually he stopped a moment to pose for me, so I then I gave him a lift out side. The little feller even politely said thank you while boarding the piece of cardboard for his return shuttle to the garden.
What a top little Aussie!
These are awesome pics of the Hornet.
We have these at our home, they are noisy and scare the kids a bit.
This is the first time I have seen such an upclose picture.
Thank you for posting these.