WASPS 211 



spots. Tibiae often spotted with black. Nest underground, 

 deep. 



3. Vespa germanica : colour of thorax and scape and shape 

 of face as is V. vulgaris, but lateral yellow stripe on first thoracic 

 segment decidedly convex ventrally. Yellow blotch in con- 

 cavity of eyes not hollowed out. Median black line on clypeus 



FlG. 78. Diagram to show specific difference in shape of yellow lateral stripe on 

 thorax on V. vulgaris (left) and V. germanica (right). 



of variable size, but always flanked at lower end by two black 

 spots. Tibiae usually entirely yellow. Nest underground, or in 

 thatched roofs, etc. 



4. Vespa austriaca : colour of thorax and shape of face as 

 in (2) and (3) ; scape yellow in front in ?. Abdomen glossy, and 

 tibiae with long projecting hairs. Rare ; 8 not known. 



5. Vespa rufa : colour of thorax, shape of face as in three 

 preceding, but the black markings on abdomen are blurred with 

 reddish brown and not sharply defined. Abdomen glossy. Nest 

 underground. Not uncommon. 1 



6. Vespa sylvestris : face long ; a distinct interval between 

 the base of the mandibles and the eyes. Scape of antenna yellow 

 in front in $ and , as well as in # (drone). Clypeus yellow, 

 with only a small central black spot. Tibiae with long projecting 

 hairs. Nests on branches of trees, bushes, etc. ; occasionally 

 underground, near surface, or in old tins, pots, etc. Common. 



7. Vespa norwegica : colour of thorax as in (2), etc. ; shape 

 of face, scape of antennae and tibiae as in (6). Clypeus with broad 

 black central line, often dilated in middle so as to be anchor 

 shaped. Abdomen generally reddish at base. Nests on branches 

 of bushes and shrubs, occasionally on trees. Fairly common. 



1 V. austriaca and V. rufa are probably dimorphic forms of the same species. The 

 former is the ancestral type, which still holds its own in Ireland, but has been almost 

 completely displaced by the latter in England. 



