can anyone ID this bee?

brich999

Jack Dempsey
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Jul 3, 2010
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Found it dead but was by far the largest bee ive ever seen. Im pretty sure its a type of hornet but internet search said no bee in SC could be larger than 1.8" long and this is say was atleast 2
5" prob closer to 3" long. Im almost positive it isnt, but the only thing I can find close was asian giant hornet:WHOA:

if it helps the bee was found in south sc after a couple exceptionally cold days (got under 40 one night)

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predatorkeeper87

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looks like a cicada killer, they get to about 2 to 3 inches in length. you said you are in SC? thats pretty dang close to their range in the south.

they are solitary to an extent, they live in the ground in a hole they dig by themselves. they kill cicadas (obviously) and other large insects, and drag them into the holes they dig. While they live alone, if the area is good for a nest site, you will often find a lot of them grouped in the area.
 

brich999

Jack Dempsey
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Jul 3, 2010
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Ok looking at the pics and a ruler it wasnt 3" but it was pretty big and curled id say it was about 2"
 

krichardson

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Looks like the type of hornet that seem to love building hives around my property.
 

predatorkeeper87

Potamotrygon
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turns out they are all over the US...thought they were a southern species...so my vote still stays for my original guess.
 

brich999

Jack Dempsey
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Jul 3, 2010
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Think ya got it! I remember 2 very large sand hills I thought were anthills but im pretty sure were their nests. Well I feel better knowing it wasnt an asian giant hornet
 

predatorkeeper87

Potamotrygon
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Think ya got it! I remember 2 very large sand hills I thought were anthills but im pretty sure were their nests. Well I feel better knowing it wasnt an asian giant hornet
hornets are not your bros... Kill them with fire, and dont you ever DARE suggest japanese giant hornets are in the US...I won't rest until everything is on fire....everything.

by the way...you saw TWO nests...and only one dead hornet...leave.
 

brich999

Jack Dempsey
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Jul 3, 2010
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Oh im gone and thanks for the help. Ill be sure to warn the people who live there what those hills were from. Ive been stung so many times last couple put me in the hospital because I guess I have too much antivenom so I try to be cautious around bees and this thing has haunted me for a couple days because id never seen anything like it(from nh where I promise no bees anywhere close to that size)
 

heatherbeast

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Jan 3, 2009
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I agree it's a Cicada Killer Wasp. They are actually pretty chill, my husband closed his hand over one while grabbing a doorknob to the garage and it just hovered, looked at him, and flew off. They always ignore me when I am pulling weeds or walking past their homes. They are SOLITARY, which means they cannot afford to be all psychotic like the infertile (disposable) workers of wasp and hornet species that live in hives. It is safer for them to RETREAT than it is to attack. Keep them around if you see them -- the only harm they may do is from their BURROWING.
 
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