Is this just a large wasp?

[nelletap]

This wasp looking thing, spotted to-day, 24th march, looks like a wasp but the size seemed enormous. I would say one and a half inches long. It is probably the most stupid question so I'll brace myself for some chastisement or ridicule.
I'll get even more if I cannot get the picture to work.

 

[nottingham]

I just googled it and it seems to be a queen wasp.

Duncan

 

[tonybloke]

that's a Queen wasp, just out of hibernation, ready to start a new colony ( already fertilised )

 

[nottingham]

http://www.hampshire-waspcontrol.co.uk/images/wasp-lifecycle.png

This the wasp cycle.

 

[TOBY-3652]

Yep deffinatly a queen wasp. The question is did it live? Or did it die?,,,

 

[nelletap]

I am afraid my confusion and attempts to snap it meant it was alive when it left me.

 

[nelletap]

PS what is doubly frustrating is I have been trying to get good closeups of bees and failed. this close up is my best yet.

 

[Queens59]

We've had 2 in the last week - both swiftly earning a new set of wings...

 

[Silly Bee]

I am afraid my confusion and attempts to snap it meant it was alive when it left me.

I'd have killed it first, and took the pic after.

 

[milkermel]

OH is a pestie and I darent tell him Ive killed two queens already. difficult, for him its an income for me its protecting my girls!

 

[merylvingien]

Its definatley a common (vespa vulgaris) queen wasp. There will only be queens about at the moment anyway.

You can tell that shes a common by the markings on her back ;O)