© Stuart M Bennett 2003
 
Vespula vulgaris
(The Common Wasp)


This is the wasp which we mostly come into contact with depending where you live. In the picture above, the wasp on the left is the male, the one in the middle the queen and on the right is the worker. Different species of wasp can be identified by their mask, ( shown above the queen in the picture above ), and the markings on their abdomen. The face usually has an anchor mark and the malar space (the distance between the eye and the jaw) is very short. Antennae are black at the base. Thoracic stripes are parallel sided. Four yellow spots at the rear of the thorax. Nests in holes in the ground and buildings; paper yellowish and formed into shell like plates on the outside.

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