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Wasps

European wasp
Vespula germanica (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae)

Status
Exotic (but present in Australia)

Dorsal view - female Zoomify

Caption: Australia: Victoria, Melbourne

Source: Simon Hinkley & Ken Walker Museum Victoria

Adult workers 12-17mm long (queen wasp up to 20mm); social insect; body colour black and yellow banding.

There are a number of characters to separate Vespula germanica and V. vulgaris, probably the easiest is to look at the shape of the yellow bar:

Vespula germanica - outer margin angulate

Vespula vulgaris - outer margin straight

PaDIL Links:
mason wasp (Abispa splendida )
eumenine wasp (Delta arcuata)
spider hunting wasp (Heterodontonyx bicolor)
Asian paper wasp (Polistes chinensis antennalis)
European paper wasp (Polistes dominulus)
common paperwasp (Polistes humilis)
paper wasp (Ropalidia socialistica)
common mud daubler (Sceliphron laetum)
English wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Specimen contact point: Museum Victoria

Citation: Walker, K. (2007) European wasp (Vespula germanica) Pest and Diseases Image Library. Updated on 2/22/2007 3:53:00 PM. Available online: http://www.padil.gov.au

Created Date: 2/22/2007 12:52:32 PM

Last Updated: 2/22/2007 3:53:00 PM

Diagnostic Images
Abdomen	Head Front	Thorax Above	Thorax Side
Overview Images
Dorsal	Lateral
Other Images
Adult in flight	Life cycle composite	Nesting composite