Wasp id, please

[pleb]

This wasp was about 2cm long and was moving very slowly on a Dartmoor granite stone wall. Temperature was about 9C approx. Near the Dewerstone which is on the western edge of Dartmoor near Shaugh Prior.

id would be great and thank you in advance,

Phil

[Geoff F]

I don't suppose you also have a face shot do you.

At this time of the year I would suspect a queen Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) but a German Wasp (Vespula germanica) is possible.

But some of our wasp experts may be more confident than me from this angle.

[pleb]

I'm sorry, I didn't know that face markings would be important for id. Not being an insect specialist, I was just surprised to see it at this time of year, especially on Dartmoor.

Phil

[Geoff F]

I do occasionally find one in my garden during the winter; but they don't like cold or wet weather. It probably depends on which part of Dartmoor you saw it. There are some sheltered spots, particularly when we have a mild winter.

The wasp experts can usually identify them just from a quick glance but I need some good details. The first clue is the number of yellow spots on the rear of the thorax.

Your wasp has 4 which narrows things down a bit but there are a few that are roughly similarly marked which is where the amount of black face markings are useful.

[pleb]

Thanks Geoff,

the wasp was on a west facing fairly exposed stone wall on the ridge between the Dewerstone and Cadover Bridge. Their was some shelter from a nearby oak wood but that was all.

Phil

[pleb]

...in fact, I find I have a photo of the wall.



phil