Vespulid Wasps

German and common wasps are very similar in appearance. In these species, members of the colony cooperate in the care of the young, and the building and protection of the nest. They look very similar. It is possible to tell the females of the two species apart, but males can only be reliably distinguished by examining the aedeagus (part of the genitals) under a microscope.

Worker

Most of the females in German or common wasp colonies are infertile workers.
Wasp head showing short antennae and oval eye shape
They have short antennae ...
wasp gaster showing sting
and a sting.
Wasp gaster showing 6 segments
There are six segments visible on their gaster, which is wide near the front but tapers markedly towards its tip.

 

Queen

  
Queen and worker
Queens, which are fertile females, look much the same as the workers, except they are about twice their size. They also have a sting.

Drone (male)

 
Drone (male)
The males (called drones) have long antennae which often curve backwards. Their gaster has seven visible segments and is more evenly-shaped and longer than that of the females, and they have no sting.

German wasps (Vespula germanica)

Female German wasps have:
Side view of German wasp head showing complete yellow band
  • a complete yellow band behind the eye on the side of the head
  • black dots or a vertical black line on the "face" (clypeus)
  • yellow pronotal bands on the "shoulders" that are expanded centrally
  • black dots on the abdomen, which are usually (but not always) separate from the black rings; this can be variable and it is better to use the facial markings as these are more reliable
 German wasp body showing patternation

Common wasps (Vespula vulgaris)

Female common wasps have:

  • a black mark behind the eye on the side of the head
  • an anchor-shaped or dagger-shaped mark on the "face"
  • yellow pronotal bands which are almost parallel
  • black dots and rings on the abdomen which are usually fused; this is very variable (as demonstrated by the image to the left) and it is better to use the facial markings as these are more reliable
 Common wasp showing body markings
Common wasp face showing anchor
Side view of Common wasp head showing black mark

 

Nests

  

German and common wasp nests
  • Honeycombed cell-like structure enclosed in an envelope
  • Multiple layers of cells
  • Nest are built out of wood fibre; common wasps collect this fibre from dead or rotten wood, while German wasps use sound wood
  • Nests are built in dark, dry places; often banks exposed to the sun, but also in attices, house roofs, eaves, or walls
  • German wasp nests are grey compared with common wasp nests, which are brown.

Invasive Invertebrates