Confusion with Wasps?

[Granddadscott]

I took these two photo's today.
Both on our Plum Tree.
Look similar but can the amount of yellow v Black vary this much on the common Wasp?





Or are the not the same species.

[Geoff F]

Colouration of wasps, like most insects, can be a bit variable. But besides having a lot more black on the abdomen the dark central face stripe is much narrower.

The Median Wasp - Dolichovespula media has similar markings but you really need someone more experienced than me to look at that photo. Do you have any other angles?

[Granddadscott]

Cheers Geoff.
No other photo's, but it looks like you are correct going by images on Google and in the Gallery.
So unless someone comes up with another option I will record it as such.

[Anzu]

The second one does look like a Dolichovespula media but again I'm not an expert.

I will quote the identification website I'm using, "Some workers can show an almost entirely black abdominal colouration leaving just thin yellow bands along each Tergum, making them very distinctive."

I also noticed
1. the clypeus has a elongated central spot rather then an anchor shape.
2. The shiny pronutum.
3. 2 thin yellow borders to the pronutum.
4. 2 large yellow areas on the ocular sinus.

Hope someone can come and tell me if this is right or not?

Tempted to say Dolichovespula media for the first one too. It has the nike swoosh on the shoulder flashes.

Dolichovespula media??

lots of yellow on side of head, and shiny pronutum.

[Anzu]

Sorry I blabbed on a bit

To sum up I am not an expert but I think they are both the same species The Median Wasp (Dolichovespula media).

[JRsbugs]

Dolichovespula media is the only one with "Nike" swooshes on the shoulders.

[Anzu]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Dolichovespula media is the only one with "Nike" swooshes on the shoulders.

That makes life easier

[eucera]

Definitely both D. media

[Granddadscott]

Cheers one and all
I do try to learn something every day and today's lesson is the fact that only Median Wasp - Dolichovespula media as the Nike logo on its shoulder.