Vespula germanica, German Wasp

Common Name: German Wasp

Vespula germanica, more commonly known as the german wasp, is very similar in appearance to the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris, though very slightly bigger. The best way of telling them apart is by looking at the face. There are usually three small black spots (rarely, one spot, as in the photograph above) and it is never anchor-shaped as it is in case of the common wasp. The antennae are black right down at the base. The thoracic stripes usually bulge in the middle and there are four yellow spots at the rear of the thorax.

They are found almost everywhere in the UK between April and May to September and October. The nest is like that of the common wasp but greyish in colour. It is normally made underground in an abandoned mouse nest or even a mole hill. Construction of the nest often starts as early as mid April. The nests can become very large with thousands of individuals and, unusually, may have more than one entrance. Common in Britain particularly in the south of England.

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