Invertebrates
Common Wasp
Vespula vulgaris
On a warm September afternoon at a garden table, a common wasp lands on a glass of lemonade, its black anchor mark showing clearly against its yellow face.
Overview
The common wasp, Vespula vulgaris, is a Not Evaluated social wasp of woodland, farmland, parks, and gardens across Europe and temperate Asia, introduced to New Zealand, Australia, and parts of the Americas. Its paper nests, garden-pest hunting, and late-summer nuisance behaviour make it one of the most familiar insects in the Northern Hemisphere.
A wasp that does a lot of good
For most of the summer the wasps are busy killing flies and caterpillars, and only in late summer, when the grubs are gone, do they turn to the sugar that brings them close to people.
Status
Not Evaluated globally, abundant at home and invasive in the south.
Common Wasp: common questions
How can you tell a common wasp from other wasps?
It has a black, anchor-shaped mark on its yellow face, which helps to tell it from the similar German wasp.
Why are wasps annoying in late summer?
As the colony winds down, the workers no longer have grubs to feed and turn to sweet food and drink, which brings them to picnics and fruit.
Are wasps useful?
Yes, they kill large numbers of garden pests, such as flies and caterpillars, to feed their grubs.
Where is the common wasp found?
It lives in woodland, farmland, parks, and gardens across Europe and temperate Asia, and has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, and parts of the Americas.