Queen wasps in winter...

[purplecat]

Hi there, I'm a newbie as I'm really interested in wasp behaviour but am finding it hard to come by information.

Over the last few weeks I have found several fairly groggy queens in my house. They have obviously come out of hibernation for some reason, but I can't work out why as I haven't disturbed anything new or turned up the heating particularly...

Also can anyone tell me what happens to a queen when she comes out of hibernation at this time of year? Does she re-hibernate, die, or what...?

Thanks!

[Jason Green]

Hi Purplecat, and welcome to WAB!

If the queens hibernate indoors, it is likely they'll be much nearer the spring/summer temperatures and so I imagine any real difference in heat, even subtle to us, will awake them. I suppose bright days may awake them, even if the temperature doesn't seem to change.

As for re-emergences during winter, I often wonder the same. It isn't massively unusual to see bees nectaring from flowers during the milder days of December and January, so I assume most re-stock and then re-hibernate. Some in their grogginess may end up as food for birds though.

Stuart from the UK recording scheme is a regular here, and will want you to submit any information about the queens here - Winter Bumblebees in Britain

I have started a thread for members to report insect activity during the winter here - The 'Active winter invertebrates' thread!

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Except, Jason, I don't think Stuart will want records for queen wasps.

Janet

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Except, Jason, I don't think Stuart will want records for queen wasps.

Janet