The following are often identified as European Wasps
English wasps the other Vespula species in Australia
The English wasp Vespula vulgaris (Walker, 2007b) is also in Australia and discovered in Melbourne, Victoria in 1958 (Lefoe et al., 2001, Field and Darby, 1991). There were extensive attempts at eradication. The wasp spread to West Gippsland area in the late 70’s (Crosland 1991). By 1995, this wasp was identified in Tasmania (Matthews et al., 2000, ACT, 2006, Davidson, 1986)
. English wasps in Victoria and Tasmania is more restricted than European wasps. It is probable that both wasps are misidentified where their ranges overlap (Lefoe et al., 2001, Field and Darby, 1991).
The European and English wasp are very similar in appearance so identification is difficult. Both have similar life cycles and behaviour (Lefoe et al., 2001, Tasmania, 2014)
The English wasp Vespula vulgaris (Walker, 2007b) is also in Australia and discovered in Melbourne, Victoria in 1958 (Lefoe et al., 2001, Field and Darby, 1991). There were extensive attempts at eradication. The wasp spread to West Gippsland area in the late 70’s (Crosland 1991). By 1995, this wasp was identified in Tasmania (Matthews et al., 2000, ACT, 2006, Davidson, 1986)
. English wasps in Victoria and Tasmania is more restricted than European wasps. It is probable that both wasps are misidentified where their ranges overlap (Lefoe et al., 2001, Field and Darby, 1991).
The European and English wasp are very similar in appearance so identification is difficult. Both have similar life cycles and behaviour (Lefoe et al., 2001, Tasmania, 2014)
Other insects that mistaken for European Wasps
There are other insects that misidentified as European Wasps, these are:
European honeybee Apis mellifera (LGA, 2009)
Size: 15mm
Colour: Dark yellow to orange and black
Behaviour: Slowly flies making a loud buzzing noise. Commonly found in flowers
Benefits: Bees pollinate orchards and crops, produces honey and beeswax.
Honeybees can sometimes be confused with European wasps as they similar in size. European wasps have distinct black and yellow markings and are not as hairy as honeybees (Lefoe et al., 2001).
There are other insects that misidentified as European Wasps, these are:
European honeybee Apis mellifera (LGA, 2009)
Size: 15mm
Colour: Dark yellow to orange and black
Behaviour: Slowly flies making a loud buzzing noise. Commonly found in flowers
Benefits: Bees pollinate orchards and crops, produces honey and beeswax.
Honeybees can sometimes be confused with European wasps as they similar in size. European wasps have distinct black and yellow markings and are not as hairy as honeybees (Lefoe et al., 2001).
Australian paper wasp Polistes humilis (Walker, 2007a)
Size: 15-25mm
Colour: Orange and brownish
Behaviour: Commonly found in gardens
Movement is by hoovering
Benefits: They are an important as they control garden pests ((LGA, 2009)
Australia paper wasps can be confused for European wasps. Wasps do not have the distinct yellow banded markings on their black body of the European Wasps. European wasps also have large communal nests (Lefoe et al., 2001).
Size: 15-25mm
Colour: Orange and brownish
Behaviour: Commonly found in gardens
Movement is by hoovering
Benefits: They are an important as they control garden pests ((LGA, 2009)
Australia paper wasps can be confused for European wasps. Wasps do not have the distinct yellow banded markings on their black body of the European Wasps. European wasps also have large communal nests (Lefoe et al., 2001).