I was thinking perhaps a thread devoted to photos of European wasps attacking pears. Specifically, nashi pears. Here's mine:
The orchard was invaded by European wasps this year. They killed and ate the honey bees, and devoured much of the apples, pears, cherries and grapes. I couldn't find their nest to kill them.
Quote: Marc P @ July 29 2009, 4:14 PM BST
Are tumbleweeds dead when they start their tumbling? I assume at some point they were once vibrant growing green things?
Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2009, 4:30 PM BSTAre tumbleweeds dead when they start their tumbling? I assume at some point they were once vibrant growing green things?
I think they are fruit or seed. Something weird like that.
Quote: Kenneth @ July 29 2009, 4:15 PM BSTThe orchard was invaded by European wasps this year. They killed and ate the honey bees, and devoured much of the apples, pears, cherries and grapes. I couldn't find their nest to kill them.
How did they get to Australia.
I don't think there's a non-deadly beastie bug that I haven't been biten or stung by. Mosquitos love me.
Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2009, 4:30 PM BSTAre tumbleweeds dead when they start their tumbling? I assume at some point they were once vibrant growing green things?
Got me, old bean!
Quote: Marc P @ July 29 2009, 4:35 PM BSTGot me, old bean!
I get you every day! The thrill's long since worn off! 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ July 29 2009, 4:33 PM BSTHow did they get to Australia.
I don't think there's a non-deadly beastie bug that I haven't been biten or stung by. Mosquitos love me.
My OH, as someone might say, gets bitten all the time, and my mother brother etc. I never do. Maybe it's to do with blood type? Tim - any medical take on the matter if you are listening?
Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2009, 4:36 PM BSTI get you every day! The thrill's long since worn off!
It doesn't take long. 
Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2009, 4:30 PM BSTAre tumbleweeds dead when they start their tumbling? I assume at some point they were once vibrant growing green things?
Most are mass produced in China nowadays, manufactured from reconstituted plywood, goat hooves and plastic.
Some still grow in the wild in Denmark, where they are an endangered species:
In Australia, they are called "rolly pollies" - or at least that's what I called them.
Quote: Marc P @ July 29 2009, 4:39 PM BSTMy OH, as someone might say, gets bitten all the time, and my mother brother etc. I never do. Maybe it's to do with blood type? Tim - any medical take on the matter if you are listening?
I've noticed that if you're with someone who always gets bitten, then you never do yourself. I've always heard it's to do with alcohol in your blood. I think it's just down to skin temperature or something. Or just being fairer skinned or something.
I've heard they like biting women more.
Quote: zooo @ July 29 2009, 4:43 PM BSTI've heard they like biting women more.
Sexist f**kers.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ July 29 2009, 4:33 PM BSTHow did they get to Australia.
Probably by ship - I'm not sure. I think they were first recorded in Tasmania in 1978, then spread to the mainland about a decade later. This year was the worst I've ever seen them. Their stings aren't too bad - the pain only lasts about 15 minutes, but they can sting multiple times. I trapped hundreds by pouring a mix of sugar, water, honey and Baygon into plastic water bottles and then tied the bottles from the fruit trees. The wasps fly in and drown. Trying to locate their nest by catching them and tying on cotton with little bits of tissue paper attached (so I could see where they were flying to), proved to be a painful failure.
Quote: Kenneth @ July 29 2009, 4:46 PM BSTTrying to locate their nest by catching them and tying on cotton with little bits of tissue paper attached (so I could see where they were flying to), proved to be a painful failure.
I like that idea. A wasp make-over.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ July 29 2009, 4:48 PM BSTI like that idea. A wasp make-over.
A bad idea. Catching them wasn't too difficult. Tying the cotton on between the thorax and abdomen without getting stung was more difficult. Getting the weight ratio of cotton length and tissue paper size right, so the wasp could still fly, took several attempts. Upon release, some of the wasps simply landed on the nearest plant and chewed through the cotton. Others attacked me.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ July 29 2009, 4:42 PM BSTI've noticed that if you're with someone who always gets bitten, then you never do yourself. I've always heard it's to do with alcohol in your blood.
Oooops you might have got me there. Although my brother... no the theory would fall down there.
