Wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita)

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References:

https://atlasoflife.org.au/resources/know-your-wasps

https://www.ozanimals.com/wildlife/Insect/Wasps.html

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/search/what-wasp-is-that/

Front Page of Interactive Key to Wasp Families

Wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita)

Flower Wasps (Scoliidae, Thynnidae or Tiphiidae)

Parasitic wasps (numerous families)

Potter wasps (Vespidae, Eumeninae)

Sand or digger wasps (Crabronidae & Sphecidae)

Social or paper-nest wasps (Vespidae, Polistinae & Vespinae)

Spider wasps (Pompilidae)

Other wasps

Velvet Ants (Mutillidae)

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Discussion

KylieWaldon wrote:

Yesterday

Thanks Di. I thought there was only one. I will make sure I get side views as well in future. sorry. Kylie :)

Vespula (Genus)

DiBickers wrote:

Yesterday

Most likely Vespula germanica, but would need a clear side-view photo of the head & thorax as well. I’ll need to verify this one at Genus-level for you😊

Vespula (Genus)

DiBickers wrote:

Yesterday

European wasps are aggressive hunters of insects and spiders, which they feed to their larvae. The adults themselves eat pollen, nectar, other carbohydrates and secretions produced by their young. This wasp out-competes native species for food resources as well as virtually depleting an area of its insect and spider fauna. Vespula germanica also has a large negative impact on human receation activities. Nests should be reported.

"A typical European wasp nest is started in the spring by a single queen emerging from hibernation. She raises the first worker wasps herself, which then help her raise more workers, and so the nest grows through the summer. Come the autumn most workers die out while the newly born queens search for a warm, dark place to hibernate." (Dr Reeson, Adelaide University)

Other online resources:

https://museumvictoria.com.au/wasps/

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/invertebrates/invasive-invertebrates/wasps

Vespula (Genus)

DiBickers wrote:

21 Apr 2025

@TimL I can completely empathise as it’s no easy task is it. Going back a few years I would’ve automatically popped this one under Turneromyia (Genus), but I can’t be sure on that now without seeing the wing detail😩

Pompilinae (Subfamily)

TimL wrote:

21 Apr 2025

@DiBickers Thanks for the identification. The wasp was constantly on the move, and I was only able to get these four images before it flew off, hence no wing venation images. Tim

Pompilinae (Subfamily)