Vespula germanica (German wasp)♀︎

Last update: 5 September 2021


Common

LOCATION: Krimpen aan den IJssel, garden

OBSERVATION:
2020-VI-22


A German wasp (Vespula germanica) [1]. This female was collecting wood pulp on one of the garden fences. Moving backwards the top layer of the wood is gnawed off using the jaws. The collected material is rolled into a ball between the forelegs and the thorax for transportation.

German wasp ♀︎ (Vespula germanica), collecting woodpulp
German wasp ♀︎ (Vespula germanica), collecting woodpulp


The stripes visible on the planks are spots where material has been collected before. Other wasp species also collect wood from the fences, like this female Symmorphus crassicornis.

German wasp ♀︎ (Vespula germanica), collecting woodpulp

Literature

1 Nederlands Soortenregister

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *