wasp (queen)

Vespula vulgaris

• The queen is the first wasp you’ll see in early spring when she searches for a nesting site
   
• The queen has the familiar vivid yellow and black stripes, triangular head and sting of the smaller workers
   
• The queen is about 2 - 2.5cm 

Where found

Wasps are attracted to meat, sweet food and drinks.

Nests are usually only seen as tiny entrance holes, usually underground but also in cavities in walls, ceiling, logs and trees.

When to look for

• Early spring - queens appear from February

Fabulous wasp facts

• Wasps help to balance nature by removing thousands of aphids, caterpillars and fly larvae
  
  
• They pollinate plants and recycle nutrients through scavenging
  
  
• Wasps are eaten by spiders and badgers
  
  
• In about 422 BC the Greek comedy writer Aristophanes wrote “Wasps”
  
  
• For information on how to avoid wasp stings visit Wasps and Sting Prevention