Larger, but less agressive
than the familiar Common Wasp (below) this wasp is a relatively
recent immigrant species from Europe having been first
seen in Britain in the 1980s. Other characteristics are
greater amounts of black in the abdominal markings and
distinctive features on the thorax and face (the yellow
ocular sinus and large malar space - the distance between
the bottom of the eye and the mandible). Although now
quite common, this wasp has Notable A status.
Common
wasp (Vespula vulgaris) on apple.
Right:
close-up of face showing disctictive anchor marking.
(21
August 2008)
Above
and right: Wool Carder Bee
(Anthidium
manicatum) male.
Note
the fearsome prongs on the tip of the abdomen. These
are used to attack other insects and male carder bees
invading its territory.
(31
July 2009)
Hornet
(Vespa crabro)
(27
August 2010)*
German
wasp (Vespula germanica) - queen.
(23
March 2011)
This
is the other common British wasp. Note the distinctive
3 spots on the face.
