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Head-on view of the common wasp

Common wasp

Common wasps are instantly recognisable because of their yellow and black stripes. They are social insects and live in underground nests of up to 10,000 workers. The wasps do not construct their own burrow but will choose one which already exists, such as an abandoned animal burrow, a corner of a garden shed, or the loft of a house.

Scientific name: Vespula vulgaris

Rank: Species

Common names:

European wasp

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Distribution

The Common wasp can be found in a number of locations including: Asia, Australia, China, Europe, North America, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.

Habitats

The following habitats are found across the Common wasp distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.

Behaviours

Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.

Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web

About

The common wasp, Vespula vulgaris, is found in much of Eurasia and has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It is often said to occur in Europe and North America as well, in which case it is called the common yellowjacket, but a 2010 study argues that the North American populations are a separate species, Vespula alascensis.

The common wasp is a eusocial vespid which builds its grey paper nest in or on a structure capable of supporting it. Underground, it often uses an abandoned mammal hole as a foundation for the site which is then enlarged by the workers. The foundress queen may also select a hollow tree, wall cavity or rock crevice for a nest site.

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