Common wasp  (Vespula vulgaris)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The common wasp is a familiar and much feared social insect (3). They are quite large insects, with an obvious 'waist' between the thorax and abdomen. They have bright yellow and black bands along the body, two pairs of wings and fairly long, robust antennae. The sting is located at the tip of the abdomen (4). The queens (reproductive females) are larger than workers (non-reproductive females) (2).

left