We have had a long, long Winter and so it was no surprise that our little insect house looked a little battered and worn as it had battled through the Winter period. Now into the month of May, I needed to check the little wooden house out to see what if any maintenance would be required to make it usable to my six-legged friends. Disappointingly, the front door had snapped with the various frosts. I gently pulled down the little metal latches and prized down the front. To my surprise a tiny wasp nest was attached to the ceiling of the basement quarters. The nest was the new home of some German wasps, Latin name: Vespula germanica. This is the best wasp to have in the garden as it collects enormous amounts of insects to feed to its larvae and so is a highly valued predator. The wasp measures 18 mm and is easy to identify. To tell if you have this wasp in your garden – look at the wasp’s face from the front view and you will see three spots on its head.
Little Note: The Common Wasp is a little smaller almost measuring 17 mm in length. Identified by a curved ‘T’ shape or anchor when looking at it full-faced.
6 comments:
I don't think I want to get close enough to one to look it in the face. :)
I have a similar house to add to the garden when I get around to it. There are three compartments, for lacewings, ladybirds and solitary bees :-)
wow there is life amid the ruins
indeed the previous winter was longer and really consumed extra energy...
poor wasps, trying to survive...
Interesting wasp facts. I just found your site and I love it. I am a lover of nature also. Please check me out at www.americanwomansview.com. Check out the "photo page" to see our new arrivals.
Oh No! That's a little scary. Were you stung?
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