In article , Lynda Thornton
writes
Hi

We have just moved to near the Welsh border in Shropshire - and on
moving day and since then we have seen some very scary large flying
insects which I can't identify. They look almost like a cross between a
fly and a bee and are mainly dark brown with paler brown stripes. They
have the triangular fly-wing shape but with a pointed end like a
stinger, but their heads look like flies. They don't seem to buzz
either, they must be well over an inch long, in fact probably 1.5
minimum and they are large and chunky and very intimidating! I've seen
a couple dead on the pavements in town too - I've never seen these
before and haven't been able to find them on the web - has anybody here
seen them and know what they are?

Bee-fly? That's a serious suggestion - it is a real insect, but I can't
remember its scientific name. The 'stinger' is an ovipositor and quite
harmless. I saw one for the first time about 10 years ago - it was very
alarming

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"