Vespula germanica (Fabricius)

Kimsey, Lynn S. & Carpenter, James M., 2012, The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 28, pp. 37-65 : 46

Vespula germanica (Fabricius) Figs 1a, b 13 19 40 67 83

Vespa maculata ? Scopoli 1763:312. Type destroyed; “Carnioliae” (Slovenia). Nec Vespa maculata Linnaeus 1763.

Vespa macularis ? Olivier 1792:695. Unjustified emendation of Vespa maculata Scopoli.

Vespa germanica Fabricius 1793:256. Type unknown; “Kiliae” (Germany) (repository unknown).

Distribution.

Vespula germanica has been unintentionally introduced into temperate regions worldwide. It apparently first appeared in Montreal in the 1960's and other parts of eastern North America in the 1970's, although there is a record of the species collected in Ithaca, New York in 1891 ( Menke and Snelling 1975). The species reached California by 1989.

Biology.

The nests are usually built in structures or less commonly in the ground. Nests can be huge and may become perennial in warmer climates. These wasps feed on live prey or scavenge any source of protein or sugar.

Figures

Figure 1. Vespula germanica worker a side view b dorsal view; Vespula pensylvanica worker c side view d dorsal view.

Figures 2 - 13. 11 - 12 Front view of face 5 - 7 Dorsal view of head 8 - 10 Lateral view of head 11 Dorsal view of thorax 12, 13 Lateral view of male metasomal tergum VII.

Figures 14 - 25. Front view of face, antennae removed. Vpl. = Vespula.

Figures 38 - 47. Dorsal view of worker metasoma.

Figures 59 - 71. Lateral view of genital capsule in Vespula (Vpl). Abbreviations: ae = aedeagus p = paramere.

Figures 72 - 84. Ventral view of genital capsule in Vespula (Vpl). Abbreviations: A. = dorsal view of paramere ae = aedeagus p = paramere v = volsella Vpl. = Vespula.