Bee or wasp?

paul.mccloud44 · July 2020

I have a nest in an old wall vent at the back of the house that is closed the other end (so no house access). But I am having trouble identifying what they are. The workers seem to be smaller than a yellowjacket and instead of the bright yellow striped back, it's more a dull yellow. (They could be yellowjackets, but I'm used to them being bigger for some reason).

They don't seem aggressive, several have got in windows and seem happy for me to catch and release them outside. I was lucky enough today to get a photo of what I assume is the queen leaving the nest, and I hope this will help identify the species. She was about 2 1/2 times the size of the workers. Also photo of a dead worker.

I intend to leave the nest alone until they are gone as they are not bothering me and look after my garden

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/xp/dt78yrku14qh.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/5a/88t3w7dk41e5.jpg

Many thanks for any help.

Sarah262 · July 2020

hi
I think the top photo is of a mimic hornet. Not dangerous. I saw one on my asters last year.

wild edges · July 2020

As Sarah says the top one is the hornet mimic hoverfly https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/volucella-zonaria and the bottom one is some kind of wasp. Find a dead one and follow this guide http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds2/insectswaspsidentification.htm the markings on the face give a fairly good idea but I can't see them from your photo.

paul.mccloud44 · July 2020

Thanks for that, on much closer inspection it appears to be Vespula Vulgaris. Getting close to the end of their season soon anyway, and they appear to have helped my garden, don't think I've ever had so much success with my flowers.

Thanks again.

Bee or wasp?

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