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German wasp nest

Vespula germanica (Fabricius)
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German wasp [Vespula germanica] nest. Image: Phil Bendle Collection CitSciHub.nz

German wasp Vespula germanica nest. Image: Phil Bendle Collection CitSciHub.nz

Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Vespidae
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Size range

  • Medium–sized insects, large queens up to 20 mm in length

Distribution

  • Accidentally introduced

Life history

  • Sting. Some people may be allergic
  • Nest underground or in crevices in buildings
  • Rasp wood fibres from the surface of timber to use in nest formation
  • Feed on small insects, fruit, nectar and honeydew. Scavenge on dead fish
  • A similar species, Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus), is also found in New Zealand

Further information

Gallery

German wasp [Vespula germanica] head side on Image
German wasp Vespula germanica head side on
A queen German wasp [Vespula germanica] Image
A queen German wasp Vespula germanica
German wasp [Vespula germanica] - black dots on the abdomen, which are usually (but not always) separate from the black rings (variable). Image
German wasp Vespula germanica - black dots on the abdomen, which are usually (but not always) separate from the black rings (variable).
German wasp [Vespula germanica] head side on - a complete yellow band behind the eye. Image
German wasp Vespula germanica head side on - a complete yellow band behind the eye.
German wasp [Vespula germanica] face - black dots or a vertical black line. Image
German wasp Vespula germanica face - black dots or a vertical black line.
German wasp [Vespula germanica] nest. Image: Phil Bendle Collection CitSciHub.nz Image
German wasp Vespula germanica nest. Image: Phil Bendle Collection CitSciHub.nz