Insects
Wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita)
Social or paper-nest wasps (Vespidae, Polistinae & Vespinae)
Sighting 4207786

Vespula germanica

1 European Wasp, German Yellowjacket Wasp at Hughes, ACT

Vespula germanica at Hughes, ACT - 20 Apr 2019 04:24 PM
Vespula germanica at Hughes, ACT - 20 Apr 2019 04:24 PM
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Identification history

Vespula germanica 25 Apr 2019 KimPullen
Vespula germanica 25 Apr 2019 JonSteinbeck

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User's notes

I wanted to photograph a Leaf-curling Spider and I arrived just in time to see a European Wasp hovering near the web, before it appeared to charge into the net. The spider seemed to move but then backed away. After taking the picture I started to set up a tripod keep photographing. By the time I was ready with my tripod, the wasp had gone, while the spider was backed right up in its leaf. I looked up the behaviour on Canberra Nature Map, finding two cases where European Wasps had stolen, or attempted to steal prey from a spider’s web (https://canberra.naturemapr.org/Community/Sightings/Details/4205871 & https://canberra.naturemapr.org/Community/Sightings/Details/3374617). I think that is what happened in this case given the wasp looks like it has its legs wrapped around something in the web.

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size

Species information

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  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
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