Common Wasp
Vespula vulgaris
This record describes Vespula vulgaris (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
About 2 cm long, they have bright yellow and black bands along the body, with an obvious 'waist' between the thorax and abdomen. They also have two pairs of wings and fairly long, robust antennae. The sting is located at the tip of the abdomen. The queens (reproductive females) are larger than workers (non-reproductive females). The common wasp can be distinguished from other similar social wasps by the anchor-shaped mark on its face. This species is found in a wide range of habitats and is common in gardens, woodlands and meadows as well as around habitation. The common wasp usually forms large colonies below ground, but occasionally nests may be made in wall cavities, hollow trees and attics. Queens emerge from hibernation during the spring, and they search for a suitable location in which to start a new colony. She then begins to build the nest with chewed up wood pulp, which dries to make a papery substance. A few eggs are laid, which develop into non-reproductive workers. These workers eventually take over the care of the nest, and the queen's life is then devoted solely to egg laying. At the end of autumn a number of eggs develop into new queens and males, which leave the nest and mate. The new queens seek out suitable places in which to hibernate, and the males and the old colony (including the old queen) die. Widespread and common throughout Britain, especially in the south.
Wikipedia reference for Vespula vulgaris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespula_vulgaris.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Vespidae
- Genus
- Vespula
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species is found in a wide range of habitats and is common in gardens, woodlands and meadows as well as around habitation.
Seasonal Activity
April to late October.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and common throughout Britain, especially in the south.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Vespula vulgaris. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Wasp (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Wasp
What is Common Wasp?
Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Common Wasp found?
Habitat: This species is found in a wide range of habitats and is common in gardens, woodlands and meadows as well as around habitation.
When is Common Wasp active?
Common Wasp: seasonal activity - April to late October..