What is the difference between the European Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and the European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula)?
The European Wasp, also called the Common Wasp, and the European Paper Wasp are both vespid insects.
The European Wasp and the European Paper Wasp are both social wasps living in colonies with a queen wasp and worker wasps.
The European Wasp and the European Paper Wasp both have black and yellow bodies with yellowish-orange legs.
The European Wasp and the European Paper Wasp are both native to Europe and parts of Asia.
The European Wasp has black club-shaped antennae, whereas the European Paper Wasp has yellowish-orange club-shaped antennae.
The European Wasp has narrow dark wings, whereas the European Paper Wasp has narrow orangish wings with dark tips.
The European Wasp has a slightly fuller body than the European Paper Wasp, which has a slender body.
The European Wasp makes a paper nest with an envelope cover, whereas the European Paper Wasp makes an open nest not covered with a wall or envelope.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM