Without a photograph, I don't know that we can help. Can you share what your friend ID'd from her book?

Many people misidentify hummingbird moths (hawk moths) as bees when they see them. They are evening fliers and would certainly be attracted to fallen fruit. Just one thought. ;-)

Thanks, Rhizo, but I'm familiar with hawk moths, and this definitely is not one of them.

Our Extention Agent thinks they're probably Cicada Killing Wasps. I think he's right. Apparently they eat the larvae of the cicada. They're 1.5 to 2" long. Here's a photo:

{{!gwi}}

Alisande - Cicada Killer certainly fits, except for the nocturnal part - they are very common where I grew up, and we used to see dozens, sometimes hundreds of burrows in a given area, where the adults store paralyzed cicadas to act as food for their larvae, and I don't think I have ever seen them fly at night. Still, I can't think of anything else that really fits the description. For what it's worth, I have never heard of a person being stung by one, which is probably a very good thing.
Tucker

Tucker, the Extension guy said they were nocturnal, coming out of their burrows at night. Perhaps he was wrong. I'm still not 100% convinced that's what we had. For one thing, I never saw the burrows like you did. He said they live in the burrows. But mine nested in an enormous insect-made structure inside the barn. My son and I remember the nest as being three to four feet long and about two feet wide. It was attached to an inside barn wall. And mine didn't look exactly like the picture. They weren't as black, and they seemed fatter.

The mystery deepens...?

Susan

They are most certainly not nocturnal. They do not make above ground structures. We need to get you a new 'extension guy', lol!

Tucker, you have now heard of a person being stung by one. Me, Dorie. But only because I STEPPED on one by accident, while in my bare feet. I only screamed for a few days, and after that I was fine, no problem.....can hardly remember the pain. It's like a dream. LOL

These insects are actually very benign, only becoming overtly agressive if you enter what they deem to be their territory. All you have to do is take a few steps back, and they will retreat. It's like a line drawn in the sand. I felt bad about stepping on that one, but at least I can say that I was stung and SURVIVED!!!

Susan - We need a picture! There are lots of very knowledgeable people on this forum, but I think we need to see one of these bees to be sure if an ID. I, for one, am very intrigued. I see on your page that you live in Zone 4b - how far east or west, if I may ask? In the east, one occasionally sees Eurpean hornets, and they are larger than our homegrown variety, can be active at night, and build large nests - just a thought. Have a look at the link below and see if it resembles what you are seeing.
Tucker

Here is a link that might be useful: European hornet

A picture? Well, I'm certainly an avid photographer, so I'll try. But the one I saw the other day didn't land, and I haven't seen one since.

Re the European hornet, I'm in the east. And my critters had striped markings on the abdomen. But that "wasp waist" is putting me off. I recall them as having a thick, torpedo shape. Of course, I'm talking about 1991, so my memory may be a little clouded. But I tend to be observant about insects and the like. The info on the nesting habits fits perfectly.

I read further and found this statement on another site: "The European hornet resembles the cicada killer wasp but is more robust." Would that mean they're thicker in appearance? This site described the nest that we saw, and said it is abandoned at the end of the year, which this one was. But it also said the European hornet grows to a length of one inch, and ours were definitely larger. No mention was made of fruit eating, which was something we observed all the time with apples rotting on the ground. The night flying and attraction to light fits as well.

Do you suppose in 15 years they have grown a millimeter or two in my memory? Still, I saw one just recently, and fairly closeup, and I'm sure it was larger than an inch. The site you directed me to mentioned 1.5 inches. That might do it, so the European Hornet is a distinct possibility. I'll try to find more images...and get a photo of my own as soon as the opportunity presents itself. But honestly, I hope it doesn't. :-)

Thanks!

Susan

Susan...what did their nest look like? That might help.

Hmm...I'm not going to be much help here. I remember being stunned at the sight of itÂso huge!Âand I remember that it was a lightish brown. Not much help, huh? I'm guessing it was about 5 or 6" deep, but that's just a guess. The following description (found on the Internet) fits what I saw:

The hornets build their nests in protected areas such as hollow trees, hollow posts, partitions in sheds, barns, porches, and attics. Mature nests generally consist of 6- 8 horizontal combs, without the papery covering associated with many other hornets' nests. Nests can be very large, up to 2-3 feet in length, 20 inches in diameter and may contain 800-1000 workers.

If there was no papery covering, then the combs would be exposed, yes? I can't remember if that was the case, but I'll ask my son. He was 12 at the time, and might remember the nest better than I.

i am stuck on giant hornet also!

Here is a link that might be useful: Vespa crabro germana

It is a European hornet, they are very large and intimidating. My mom lives in NY and they swarmed near a nest the built in the siding of her house, always active at night near the light by her door. Im terrified of them, we drove around back and broke into her house to avoid having to go into the house through the door they were near. Probably an overreaction on my part, but also didn't want to risk my little ones getting stung by those big guys.