Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) – Characteristics and Significance

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is one of the most recognisable and common wasp species in Europe. These small insects, characterised by their yellow and black striped bodies, are often seen in gardens, parks and near human dwellings. The common wasp plays an important role in the ecosystem, even though it is often associated mainly with its annoying behaviour during summer picnics and outdoor gatherings.

In nature, wasps fulfil many important functions. First and foremost, they are predators and play a key role in controlling the populations of other insects, including many garden pests. By hunting flies, caterpillars and other insects, they help maintain ecological balance. Additionally, although they are not as effective at pollination as bees, wasps also contribute to plant pollination by transferring pollen while foraging for food.

The importance of wasps in the ecosystem is therefore undeniable. Despite their sometimes aggressive behaviour in defence of their nests, it is worth remembering that they play a key role in maintaining the health of our gardens and natural habitats. Understanding and appreciating the role of wasps can help us to better manage our interactions with these fascinating and somewhat controversial creatures.

Description and Structure

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is easily recognisable thanks to its distinctive physical features. Below is a detailed description of its structure:

Size and appearance

The common wasp has a body length of 10 to 15 mm. Its body is decorated with distinctive yellow and black stripes, which serve as a warning to potential predators and are one of its most recognisable features.

Head

The head of the common wasp is large and has compound eyes that provide a perfect field of vision. These eyes allow the wasp to detect movement precisely and to orientate itself in space. The wasp also has triangular antennae, which are important sensory organs used to detect odours and flavours. In addition, there are strong mandibles on the head, which are used to bite food and build nests.

Torso and legs

The common wasp’s torso is stocky and well-built, allowing it to move quickly and nimbly. The wasp has three pairs of legs, which are relatively short but very strong. They enable it to grasp and manipulate objects, as well as to move effectively on different surfaces. The transparent wings of the wasp are membranous and provide excellent flight capabilities, allowing it to move quickly in search of food and to build nests.

Sting

One of the most characteristic features of the common wasp is its sting. The wasp has a stinger connected to a venom gland, which it uses as a defence mechanism. Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly because their stings do not remain in the victim’s skin. The wasp’s defence mechanism involves injecting venom, which can cause pain, swelling and allergic reactions. The stinger is mainly used to defend the nest and in dangerous situations.

Natural Environment and Habitats

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is an insect that can adapt to different environments. It can be found in forests, gardens, parks and urban areas. It is an extremely flexible species that can find suitable living conditions both in the wild and near human settlements. Common wasps often visit places where they can find food, such as rubbish bins, picnics and other areas where food is stored or consumed.

Nests

The nests of the common wasp are impressive constructions that are built from cellulose obtained from wood. Wasps bite the wood, mix it with their saliva, thus creating a paper-like mass from which they build their nests. These nests are usually greyish-brown in colour and have a paper-like structure.

• Location of nests: Common wasps build their nests in various places. In the wild, they can be found in tree hollows, under roots and also in abandoned animal burrows. In urban areas, nests are often found in protected places such as attics, garages, sheds, lofts and even in wall crevices.
• Construction materials: As mentioned above, the main construction material is cellulose from wood, which wasp larvae convert into a paper-like mass. This material is light but at the same time durable, providing the nest with adequate protection and insulation.
• Nest structure: The nest of the common wasp consists of several cell levels in which the female lays her eggs. These cells are arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern. Each cell serves as a place for the larvae to develop, which go through various stages of development until they become adults. The nest is designed to provide optimal ventilation and protection from predators.

Life cycle

The life cycle of the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is complex and consists of several stages that are necessary for the development and maintenance of the colony. Here is a detailed description of the individual stages of the wasp’s life and the roles of the individual colony members:

Life stages

1. Eggs: The life cycle of the common wasp begins with the queen laying eggs. The eggs are laid in cells made of paper pulp, which form the structure of the nest. The eggs are white and small in size.
2. Larvae: After a few days, the eggs hatch into white, legless larvae that are shaped like small worms. The larvae are fed mainly by worker ants and other sources of protein, which allows them to grow quickly.
3. Pupae: Once the larvae have reached the right size, they transform into pupae. This process takes place in closed cells, where the larvae spin cocoons in which they transform into adult wasps. The pupae are immobile and do not feed.
4. Adult wasps: After the pupal stage, the adult wasps hatch from the cells. The newly hatched adults begin to fulfil their roles in the colony, contributing to its development and maintenance.

Queen and workers

• Queen: The queen is the largest individual in the colony and her main role is to lay eggs. The queen is responsible for establishing a new nest at the beginning of the season and for producing new workers and potential future queens and males at the end of the season. The queen has a more rounded abdomen and is less active than the workers.
• Workers: Workers are females that are not capable of reproduction. Their main role is to care for the offspring, build and maintain the nest, collect food and defend the colony. Workers are smaller than the queen and have a more elongated body. They are very active and often visible when looking for food.

Duration of the cycle

The life cycle of the common wasp is seasonal and varies throughout the year:

• Spring: The queen wakes up from hibernation and starts building a new nest. She lays her first eggs, from which the worker wasps hatch.
• Summer: The colony grows and the number of workers increases significantly. The workers collect food and expand the nest.
• Autumn: The queen begins to lay eggs from which future queens and males hatch. After they hatch, there is a mating season, after which the new queens hibernate.
• Winter: The old nest and colony die, leaving only the new queens in hibernation, who will survive the winter and start a new life cycle in the next season.

Diet and behaviour

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) has a varied diet that changes depending on its stage of life and role in the colony.

• Adult wasp diet: Adult wasps mainly feed on flower nectar, fruit juices and other sweet substances they find in their environment. They are attracted to the smell of fermenting fruit, which is why they are often found near orchards, rubbish bins and places where sweet drinks and food are consumed.
• Larvae’s food: The larvae of the common wasp require protein-rich food to develop properly. The worker wasps hunt other insects such as flies, caterpillars and other small invertebrates, which they then chew up and feed to the larvae. This provides the larvae with the nutrients they need to grow quickly.

Hunting and defence

Common wasps are efficient predators and have several hunting and defence mechanisms.

• Hunting methods: Wasps use their strong jaws to catch and kill their prey. They can hunt alone or in groups, which makes them effective hunters. The prey is transported to the nest, where it is processed into food for the larvae.
• Defence mechanisms of the colony: Common wasps are very territorial and aggressively defend their nests from intruders. In case of danger, the workers use their stingers to attack. The stingers are equipped with venom glands that inject painful venom. Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly, which makes them particularly dangerous in large numbers.

Interaction with humans

Common wasps are often considered a nuisance, especially in areas where people live. Here are a few reasons why wasps can be problematic and ways to avoid being stung:

• Reasons for nuisance: Wasps are attracted to the smell of food, especially sweet drinks, fruit and leftovers. They can become aggressive when they feel threatened, which often leads to painful stings. Their presence at picnics, barbecues and other outdoor gatherings can be very annoying.
• How to avoid bites:

• Avoid sudden movements: Wasps can interpret sudden movements as a threat, which can provoke an attack.
• Keep food and drinks in closed containers: Wasps are attracted to the smell of food, so it’s a good idea to keep food and drinks in sealed containers.
• Avoid bright and colourful clothing: Wasps are attracted to bright colours and floral patterns, so it’s best to wear muted colours.
• Secure your rubbish bins: Empty your bins regularly and keep them clean to minimise odours that attract wasps.
• Handle nests with care: Never try to remove a wasp nest yourself. If you discover a nest near your home, it is best to contact a professional pest control company.

Ecological importance

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) plays an important role in the ecosystem, both as a predator and as a pollinator. Although wasps are often perceived as a nuisance, their presence also brings many benefits to the environment.

Role in the ecosystem

• Pollination: Although common wasps are not as effective pollinators as bees, they contribute to plant pollination. In search of nectar, wasps visit flowers, transferring pollen from one flower to another. In this way, they support the pollination process, which is crucial for the reproduction of many plant species.
• Insect population control: Common wasps are predators that hunt other insects, including many species that are considered pests in agriculture and horticulture. By controlling the populations of these insects, wasps help to maintain the ecological balance. Their actions can prevent pests from reproducing excessively, which reduces the need for pesticides.

Benefits and risks

• Environmental benefits:
  • Natural pest control: Common wasps help to naturally control the population of many insects, which is beneficial for farmers and gardeners. Their presence can reduce the number of pests that destroy crops.
  • Pollination: Although not the main pollinators, their activity contributes to the pollination of certain plant species, thus supporting biodiversity.
• Potential risks to humans:
  • Bites: Wasps can sting repeatedly, causing pain, swelling and, in some cases, severe allergic reactions. For people who are allergic to wasp venom, the stings can be particularly dangerous and even life-threatening.
  • Nuisance: Wasps are attracted to food and drinks, which can cause problems during picnics, barbecues and other outdoor gatherings. Their presence can be annoying and lead to unpleasant situations.

Controlling Wasps

Wasps (Vespula vulgaris) can be a nuisance and potentially dangerous, especially when they build nests near houses. Controlling them requires the use of appropriate measures, both preventive and direct.

Prevention

The best way to deal with common wasps is to prevent them from settling near houses. Here are some effective prevention methods:

• Regular inspections: Regularly check the area around your house, especially attics, garages, sheds and other potential places where wasps may build nests.
• Seal holes: Seal any gaps, holes and cracks in the walls, roofs and foundations of buildings that could be potential nesting sites for wasps.
• Keeping clean: Keep the area around your house clean, empty the rubbish bins regularly and keep them tightly closed so as not to attract wasps with food smells.
• Securing food: Store food and drinks in closed containers, especially during picnics and outdoor barbecues.

Home remedies

If you find a wasp nest near your house, there are several safe ways to remove it:

• Removal in the evening: Wasps are less active in the evening, so it is best to remove nests then. Use special wasp sprays, which are available in stores. Remember to wear protective clothing.
• Soapy water: For small nests, a mixture of soapy water can be effective. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray the nest. The soap will clog the wasp’s airways, effectively eliminating them.
• Wasp traps: You can also use commercially available wasp traps or make your own out of a plastic bottle filled with sweet liquid.

Professional methods

In some cases, it may be necessary to call in a professional pest control company:

• Nests in hard-to-reach places: If the nest is in a hard-to-reach place, such as the attic or a building wall, it is better to contact professionals.
• Large colonies: In the case of large wasp colonies, removing the nest yourself can be dangerous. Professionals have the right equipment and knowledge to remove the nest safely.
• reactions: If someone in the house has a severe wasp allergy, it is best to have the nest removed by professionals to avoid the risk of bites.

Conclusion

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) plays an important role in the ecosystem. Although it is often perceived as a nuisance and potentially dangerous insect, its importance in nature is undeniable. Common wasps help control the population of other insects by preying on many species that can be pests in agriculture and horticulture. In addition, although they are not the main pollinators, they help pollinate plants, contributingę do bioróżnorodności.