How Big Are Queen Wasps in the UK?
WouterDespite being a tiny insect, the queen wasp is very important to wasp colonies. Not only do they lay eggs, but they also help to keep other invertebrate populations in check. They can be seen in gardens, woods and meadows.
The queen wasp lays up to 8,000 eggs in her nest. They are laid in layers of 20-30 cells. They are then fed by the worker wasps in the nest. The larvae grow quickly. They are fed with protein rich insect food. The larvae are then developed into fertile females and males. The queen and worker wasps die in the winter, as their food source is reduced.
A queen wasp’s abdomen becomes heavy with eggs, and the queen is unable to fly. The queen then takes care of her new queen, dividing her time between feeding the larvae and laying eggs. In the spring, the queen wasp searches for a safe nesting place. She then builds a nest of up to 30 cm in diameter.
The queen wasp is about 20mm long, and has a distinctive triangle shaped head. She has a pointy sting, but it is not as sharp as the sting of other insects. The sting can cause allergic reactions. She is also larger than the male drone wasps.
The queen wasp lives for more than a year. The drone wasps do not mate with the queens from the same colony. This is to ensure that the genes are evenly distributed. The drones bring food to the queen wasp, and also keep the nest safe.
