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

CathB wrote:

11 Jul 2025

See sighting 4682195 which shows the contents of this pupal case 18 months later

Chalcididae (family)

DiBickers wrote:

1 Jul 2025

@kasiaaus ruling out the mud-nesting spider wasps & potter wasps, it’s also possible this could be the larva of one of the parasitoid wasps like the Ichneumon/Braconid Wasps. Apparently their larvae can feed openly on the host like this but I’m still not sure how we can go about verifying the ID without raising the larva☹️

Ichneumonoidea (Superfamily)

AlisonMilton wrote:

23 Jun 2025

Hope you reported it.

Vespula germanica

Jennybach wrote:

22 Jun 2025

Thanks that’s good

Apocrita (suborder) Nest

DiBickers wrote:

22 Jun 2025

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. Recent records for the wasp have appeared from New Chums Road and Nursery Swamp - we would like to know just how widespread it is in Namadgi - so please report any sightings from there.

The ACT Government treats European wasp nests on ACT Government land. If a wasp nest is on your property, it is your responsibility to have it removed by a qualified pest control operator. People should not attempt to treat the nest themselves as they risk being stung.

"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)

For more information about European Wasps and to report a nest on ACT Government Land please visit:
https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/pets-and-wildlife/wildlife/pest-insects/wasps

Vespula germanica