Pigeon Horntail (Tremex columba) on Aug 7, 2022

Originally reported as Northern Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

We were sitting on our patio at 5pm this afternoon (Sunday, 8/7/22) when a very loud buzzing sound was heard and then a large flying bug swooped in just past my face. It flew into a wall and then seemed to be struggling on the patio and was unable to regain flight. We quickly covered it with a plastic container and while trying to sort out what to do it seemed to die. Very hot and sunny afternoon, 98 degrees at the time. We have possession of the specimen and will gladly turn it over to the department.

Commentary

Fortunately, this isn’t a hornet. Unfortunately, it is an invasive woodwasp, Tremex columba (sometimes called the Pigeon tremex). Their larvae feed in hardwood trees. They first showed up in Oregon in 2013 in North Portland, since then they’ve spread out as far as Lake Oswego. We’ve had a lot of them reported as hornets! They can’t sting. Their long ovipositor is for depositing eggs under the bark of trees.

Josh Vlach
Aug. 8, 2022, 1:43 a.m.