Factsheet P21: Wasps

The familiar wasp problems discussed here are those cause by social wasps, the familiar black and yellow striped, stinging insects. They should not be confused with solitary wasps of the numerous types of minute parasitic wasps which are of great use in the garden and for biological control methods. There are several species of social wasps (9 in Britain) including Vespula vulgaris and V.germanica (Syn. Paravespula); tree nesting species such as Dolichovespula media and D.sylvestris; and the hornet (Vespula crabo).