David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
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Hymenoptera 2 - Common Wasps
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris (m)
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris (m)
COMMON WASP Vespula vulgaris (m)
- Social
Wasps including the Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris (note
that there are several similar species and that they are not always easy
to separate) 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.
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
medications should be carried whenever 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
may 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
Helix hedera 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 would be examined closely enough to determine their sex
before being swatted.
- David’s short films of Common
Wasps may be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BV-qCPBuLY&list=PL4AirIEc0Noe71WjkaynaPoocE9dos2G3&index=20&t=0s and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP4Vd7xldno&list=PL4AirIEc0Noe71WjkaynaPoocE9dos2G3&index=9&t=0s.
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