Duly passed on, and answered.
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The message
from Dave Poole contains these words:

Compared to the common wasps, they are very nervous and fly away at
the slightest movement. As with common wasps, they were carrying out
typical hunting manoeuvers, carefully searching for small insects and
larvae amongst the foliage. They seem to exhibit social behaviour as
with common wasps, but appear totally non-aggressive. In a way they
seem quite charming little things. Any ideas - please? I'm quite
familiar with the 'false wasps' so I can't see them being any of the
hover flies or similar.

I've never heard of 'false' wasps but there are hundreds of different kinds
of solitary wasps (which often live in colonies so appear to be social).
Those described sound like aggregations of solitary wasps. Without killing
them for detailed examination it's very difficult to identify which types
they are and there's no point in it unless for a special study. Just enjoy!
they cannot sting.

Hover flies are flies - not wasps. And of course I will not hear of social
wasps as agressive!

I hope this helps.

Mary
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Rusty
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