John,
They sound very much like European Wasps
to me. I’m not sure just how far they have spread in NSW but given that they
are common in the ACT – even in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve – I wouldn’t
be surprised if they have made it out there. To me they are generally the same
size as a Honey Bee but slimmer and much more brightly marked in yellow and black
and a lot faster flying. They love anything sweet.
Mark
From:
John Layton [
Sent: Tuesday, 16 February 2010
2:38 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Bees or
Wasps?
Dropped into Gelatissimo on Baylis Street Wagga Wagga where they serve
the best gelato in the world. Roma, eat ya heart out! A sign in the store read,
Please beware of the bees flying around.
According to the manager the store is under siege by tiny black and yellow
insects that “pack a painful punch”, but she added that nobody had
been stung. A local beekeeper told her “not to kill the bees because it
will attract more.” Not much to go on but, given the circumstances
– the insects appear to be attracted to the sweet fare, I wonder if
they’re bees or wasps. I asked Ms. Gelato to catch one in a jar so I
could take it for identification but she would not oblige, had no jars.
John K. Layton.
