This article summarizes everything you need to know about the various wasp species that also occur in Germany.
For many people, wasps are just black and yellow striped flying objects whose purpose in life is to annoy us over the summer and occasionally sting us. What many people don't know is that whether a wasp tends to stay away from humans or becomes a nuisance at every barbecue party depends heavily on the wasp species in question. Here in Germany, for example, there are only two species of wasps that even have the idea of looking for food at a set table. The vast majority prefer to stay away from us humans. You can read which species these are in the following list.
5 wasp species at a glance
To get an idea of the differences between individual wasp species, we have summarized the most important information on selected wasp species for you:
Common Wasp (Vespula Vulgaris)
Unfortunately, the name of this wasp says it all. It is a relatively aggressive wasp species in Germany. In addition, it is also very common, which is partly due to the sometimes huge nests. The common wasp only builds its nest in the dark, whereby the nests can accommodate up to 10,000 wasps depending on the food supply. For a wasp species in Germany, this is an extremely large nest. The main problem with the common wasp is its foraging behavior. It is a very annoying wasp species, as it likes to eat sweet foods and meat from the table. Overall, the common wasp reacts quite aggressively to hectic movements and in the vicinity of the nest and, if in doubt, also stings.
- Queen: 20 mm
- Workers: 11 - 14 mm
- Drones: 13 -17 mm
German wasp (Vespula germanica)
The German wasp can be considered the troublesome brother of the common wasp. Because she's almost as aggressive. This wasp species also prefers to build its nests in the dark and especially underground. That's what the created ones are forNests a little smaller. The wasp colonies of the German wasp often include 3000 to 4000 individuals and in exceptional cases it can even be up to 7000 wasps. For a wasp colony in Germany, this is a high number of individuals. Along with the common wasp, this species occasionally makes summer barbecues and other outdoor activities an ordeal. It is only these two wasp species that enrich themselves with our food and provide a great deal of nerve potential.
- Queen: 20 mm
- Workers: 12-16 mm
- Drones: 13 - 17 mm
Wood wasp (Dolichovespula sylvestris)
Wood wasps (as the name suggests) like to colonize sparse forests, but also human settlement areas. In contrast to the two more aggressive wasp species presented above, the wood wasp is a peaceful species of wasp. They build their nests freely and they do not necessarily have to be in the dark. The colony of the wood wasp consists of a maximum of about 800 wasps. The nests are therefore not larger than 25 cm. Peaceful wasp species such as the wood wasp limit their search for food to natural food sources such as pollen and nectar. Therefore, a wood wasp would never think of accepting sweet drinks or sweet food from humans. Visually, however, the wood wasp can hardly be distinguished from the common or German wasp.
- Queen: 15 - 19 mm
- Workers: 13 - 15 mm
- Drones: 14 - 16 mm
Cuckoo wasp (Dolichovespula omissa)
This wasp species is a social parasite. However, the wood cuckoo wasp only infests wood wasp nests. In the infested wood wasp nest, the real queen is killed and the wood cuckoo wasp queen takes her place. Although it is very unlikely that a human would come into contact with this species of wasp, the sting of the wood cuckoo wasp is said to be particularly painful. Overall, the way of life of the wood cuckoo wasp is still largely unknown.
- Queen: 15 - 18 mm
- Drones: 14 - 16 mm
Hornet (Vespa crabro)
Yes, the hornet is actually nothing more than a wasp, even if it is a bit larger than its relatives. Strictly speaking, it is even the largest wasp in Central Europe. In contrast tothe other species of wasps presented, the hornet can also have a red marking on its body. Overall, a hornet colony is always relatively small. Often just under 200 hornets live in a nest at the end of the season. Incidentally, the hornet is not as aggressive as is often claimed and its sting is not significantly more dangerous than a normal wasp sting. As long as you don't approach a hornet's nest directly, hornets are less dangerous than, for example, the common wasp. In addition, the hornet also hunts the common and German wasp. It is therefore a real beneficial creature and is also under special protection under the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
- Queen: 23 - 35 mm Workers: 18 - 25 mm
- Drones: 21 - 28 mm
Bees are far more popular than wasps with most people. Find out everything you need to know about bees in the garden in our special article.