Busy, busy, busy......

[John Liddle]

I encountered these wasps this afternoon whilst mowing the orchard.

I do not know what type they are, but I do know that:-

• there are lots of them,
• they are very busy and
• they don't take it kindly if you blunder in and cut the grass round their front door without being asked!

At first I thought they were a parasitic species raiding a nest because they were carrying something with them when they flew out of the nest, but it turned out to be good old red Somerset soil - they are obviously building an extension!


Taking out the rubbish by John Liddle, on Flickr

[Trev B]

John I think it just a Common Wasp by the abdomen markings, there again both Tree and German Wasp can come into the frame. However I will put my money on Common.

[John Liddle]

Thanks Trev.

Having done a bit of Googling, it would seem from the face markings (see below) that these are German Wasps (Vespula Germanica) rather than the ordinary common wasp (Vespula Vulgaris).

Apparently they are more aggressive and have a nastier sting.

I shall mow carefully!

Vespula Germanica.jpg

[Trev B]

Yes John German, their sting is particularly painful am given to believe. I'm one of these people who suffers big time from wasp stings, been stung twice by hornets and ended up in hospital both times.

[John Liddle]

Yes John German, their sting is particularly painful am given to believe. I'm one of these people who suffers big time from wasp stings, been stung twice by hornets and ended up in hospital both times.

Yikes! That doesn't sound good.

I'm fortunate in that the only thing I seem to be allergic to is work.

[Trev B]

Yikes! That doesn't sound good.

I'm fortunate in that the only thing I seem to be allergic to is work.

When I did my jungle survival training, I was bitten by a spider and could not swallow for three days, all my neck swelled up

[leeperry]

Well captured John

[Colin W]

A great photo John