Colonial wasp

[Lord V]

Was suprised to see a couple of colonial wasps out and about yesterday (2nd jan 2012 ) feeding on some sugar honey spray. They seemed slightly small for Queens but assume that's what they were ?

Brian V.

[Anzu]

Hia Lord V,

I reckon that picture is vespula vulgaris although I did consider vespula gemanica?, but I'm not sure whether it is a queen or not.

Like you I would have guessed they were queens as it is mid winter but not sure Hope someone can tell us.

[Lord V]

Originally Posted by Anzu

Hia Lord V,

I reckon that picture is vespula vulgaris although I did consider vespula gemanica?, but I'm not sure whether it is a queen or not.

Like you I would have guessed they were queens as it is mid winter but not sure Hope someone can tell us.

I suspect it is a smallish Queen of the common wasp. Was rather suprise on 6th Jan to find what I'm pretty certain is a male still about - see below.

Brian V.

[Jason Green]

Just reading the description, in my RES key to Scolioidea, Vespoidea and Sphecoidea - Richards 1980, it would seem both of yours are workers. Queens should have black propodeums, workers with two yellow spots.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Just reading the description, in my RES key to Scolioidea, Vespoidea and Sphecoidea - Richards 1980, it would seem both of yours are workers. Queens should have black propodeums, workers with two yellow spots.

The photo of the male wasp is certainly a male, the 13 antennal segments are clearly visible and the overall "jizz" and blunt abdomen also indicate a male.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

The photo of the male wasp is certainly a male, the 13 antennal segments are clearly visible and the overall "jizz" and blunt abdomen also indicate a male.

That's pretty strange for January. Do you think they are survivors from the autumn? I know Bombus terrestris now often has overwintering colonies in parts of the south (I'm regularly seeing workers in my garden), is it possible Vespula might be doing this as we had a very warm autumn + no severe weather in parts of the south at least?

[Lord V]

Thanks again for the comments and discussion.
I was pretty certain the 2nd shot was a male (and did count the antennae segments ). There was a wasps nest in my front garden about 15 feet away from where these shots were taken during the summer/Autumn but I had not noticed any recent activity there, I will have to check.

Brian v.