Wasps
With it's distinctive yellow & black pattern the two most common Wasp species along with Bumble Bees are possibly the most easily recognised of all Britains' insects. These species are the 'Common Wasp' (Lat. Vespula vulgaris) and the 'German Wasp' (Lat. Vespula germanica), both are social insects. The remaining species in the British Isles are mostly solitary.
Beekeepers do not deal with
Wasps. If you have a problem call your local council's pest
control section. Some areas do not consider Wasps to be a pest,
contrary to what we think Wasps are an part of the environment
and some councils leave it to private companies or just don't get
involved at all. There are sprays that can be purchased from
hardware for eradicating Wasp nests. Do remember though
that Wasps will not move in to an old nest and will try to avoid
nesting near an old one. So if you find an old nest in your roof
space or under the shed, leave it.
Life cycle of the social Wasps.
| Spring |
Queens,
mated in the previous Autumn, emerge from hibernation and begin
building nests. The nests are constructed by chewing wood to make
a pulp. This pulp is then used as the building material for the
nest. Essentially Wasp nests are papier mache. The Queen
will lay and nurture the first eggs to hatching. The emerging
females will then take on the role of nest construction and
caring for the brood(eggs & larvae). At this time of year
Wasps are not usually a nuisance and it is very common to see them
chewing on exposed untreated timber. Their primary source of food
is aphids etc which are taken to the nest for feeding the larvae.
In return the larvae provide the feeding Wasp with a highly nutritious
liquid. |
| Summer |
The
colony and nest will expand. At it's peak a colony may reach a
population of 10000 and occasionally larger. Again at this
time of year Wasps are not generally a pest, unless one gets in your
clothing or the nest is disturbed. If you disturb a nest leave
the area immediately. A wasp can sting repeatedly. Once
stung an alarm pheromone is releases alerting other Wasps to attack,
not a good idea near a Wasp nest. Wasps can also be a problem for Beekeepers. The larvae of Honey Bees makes a good meal for a Wasp larvae and all that Honey is great for the adult Wasps. It is not uncommon for a Honey Bee colony to be decimated by Wasps. |
| Autumn |
As
Summer turns to Autumn the colony dwindles. At this time the
colony will produce new Queens and male Wasps. These will mate
with Queens and males form other colonies. In late Autumn the
mated Queens will leave the nest to find suitable to hibernate
over Winter. It is at this time that Wasps become a real pain. With falling larvae the workers get less food and start to look elsewhere for some nice gooey sweet stuff, usually found in our kitchens. |
| Winter |
The
colony has now disbanded, all the males and workers will be dead and
the mated Queens hibernating in a dry, dark place. Roof spaces
are a good spot, piles of timber and under tree bark. |
Life cycle of solitary Wasps.
This is a very general description, don't use it for your homework! Most Wasps are parasitic, the winter hibernating females find suitable host larvae e..g caterpillars and paralyze the host by stinging with a venom. The female will then lay eggs inside the host or on it. The female may make some effort to conceal the eggs & host. The eggs will become larvae and eventually pupate in to adults while feeding off the host. Once emerged they will take wing, mate and repeat the cycle. Eventually with the onset of Winter the remaining mated females hibernate.