Size Matters

Captain776 · July 06, 2017, 02:29:46 AM

I previously posted I am having trouble with Banded Paper Wasp tormenting the hives and that I kill 2-7 a day and I thought they were big but they are only 1/3 the size of this one.
I found this today between Frames 4-5 and in the middle of the frame in lower box.
The girls had killed it and maybe it killed my Queen, I am not sure yet.
This thing is 2 inches long (5 CM).
It looks to big to even be Apis Dorsata as Internet says they get to 3 cm but this one is 5 cm.

Michael Bush · July 06, 2017, 09:13:40 AM

It looks more like a moth in the picture, though real life it may look different. Definitely not dorsata.

Captain776 · July 06, 2017, 10:15:37 AM

After posting, it was identified to me as. Tomato Hornworm Moth and it is also known as a Death Head Hawk Moth

Known for masking itself to smell like a bee and raiding beehives for honey

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death%27s-head_hawkmoth

sc-bee · July 06, 2017, 10:59:42 AM

Quote from: Captain776 on July 06, 2017, 10:15:37 AM
After posting, it was identified to me as. Tomato Hornworm Moth and it is also known as a Death Head Hawk Moth

Known for masking itself to smell like a bee and raiding beehives for honey

And "Silence of the Lambs"

Fishing-Nut · July 06, 2017, 12:27:55 PM

Neat little bug.........I'd have to name it........then squash it.

tycrnp · July 06, 2017, 11:44:21 PM

It's Mothra!

Michael Bush · July 10, 2017, 05:25:49 PM

Volume II, Chapter VII of Huber's New Observations Upon Bees is all about this.

Captain776 · July 10, 2017, 11:39:31 PM

Quote from: Fishing-Nut on July 06, 2017, 12:27:55 PM
Neat little bug.........I'd have to name it........then squash it.

It is in perfect shape and I have been talking to the Entemology Professor here at University and she wants me to collect all the Banded Paper Wasps for her research and I froze the Death Head Moth and will give that to her also.