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Members
of this family are known as paper wasps or potter wasps. Most species
are usually social and one of the better known families whose paper
or mud nest constructions are common in many gardens and under the
eaves of houses and other buildings.
These
wasps vary in colour and size with some species growing to 30 millimetres
in length. One distinguishing characteristic of these wasps is the habit
of folding their wings longitudinally over the body when at rest. Most
of these wasps provide lepidopteran caterpillars as food for their developing
young. Caterpillars are partially broken down by the adults before being
given to the larvae. Most species in this family will deliver a painful
sting if disturbed.
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Vespula
germanica (European
wasp)
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For
more potter wasp or social wasp species visit the Australian
Insect Common
Names
- Vespidae section found here.
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