David Element's Wildlife Web Page Hymenoptera 2

David Element

Wildlife Photography

and Digital Video Images

____________ Hymenoptera 2 - Social Wasps

COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris

WOOD WASP Dolichovespula sylvestris GERMAN WASP Vespula germanica

SAXON WASP Dolichovespula saxonica RED WASP Vespula rufa

MEDIAN WASP Dolichovespula media MEDIAN WASP Dolichovespula media (QUEEN)

HORNET Vespa crabro

Social Wasps are well renowned for their ability to sting, and although the effects may be painful and irritating to everyone there are some hypersensitive individuals who might experience anaphylactic shock as a consequence. Anyone with a family history of hypersensitivity would be well advised to obtain professional medical advice about the potential effects of wasp or bee stings. If they are identified as being at risk then any necessary medication should be carried at all times when these insects are active so that immediate treatment may be given. The victim may be chemically tagged by an individual wasp so that the remainder of the colony will recognise (and also attack) a potential enemy, so wasps' nests should only be removed by properly qualified pest control officers.

Male social wasps often feed on Ivy in late summer and they may be distinguished from females (queens) and workers by the presence of longer antennae (there is an additional antennal segment) by those bold enough to approach them closely with a hand lens! Males are unable to sting although it is doubtful that they are examined in sufficient detail to determine their sex before being swatted.

The Median and Saxon Wasps are both recent additions to the British fauna, arriving in the 1980's. The Median Wasp has now been recorded north of the Scottish border and the Saxon Wasp has reached northern England. German and Common Wasps ("Yellowjackets") have now become established in parts of the United States and Canada. Wasp patterns are variable (the worker Median Wasp shown here is a very dark form) and even experts may need to examine the facial shape and markings in order to obtain an identification to species level.

The predominantly brown and yellow Hornet is also spreading its range in the UK. The imposing appearance and loud buzz may cause distress to the unwary but these striking insects are generally less aggressive than their smaller cousins. Hornets purposefully hunt other insects (including other social wasps), often flying low over the ground until a suitable prey item is located and taken back to the nest as larval food. When hunting they are extremely difficult to photograph as they rarely settle for more than a few moments. However, these insects may be approached much more easily when feeding on the nectar of umbellifers or on Ivy as seen here. The structure of the head of this pollen-dusted example may be seen to good effect and the ocelli (simple eyes) and characteristic eye 'notch' are clearly visible in this portrait.