How Big Are Wasps in the UK?
WouterThousands of different species of wasps live in the UK. Each year they capture 14 million kilograms of insect prey. Wasps are a valuable pollinator, and they also play a vital role in agriculture. In addition, they are a very effective alternative to chemical pesticides. However, they can also be dangerous, and some people are allergic to their sting. The sting can cause swelling and irritation, so it is important to avoid contact with wasps when possible.
The largest wasp species is the hornet. They are a social wasp, and have a large head with a prominent ‘waist’ between the thorax and abdomen. Their sting is also a powerful one, and a single hornet can sting more than 250 times.
The Common Wasp, or ‘jasper’, is the UK’s most common wasp. It has distinctive black and yellow stripes on its body, and a black anchor mark on the front of its face. The sting is not as painful as some other wasps, but can cause swelling.
The hornet is a large insect, and its wings are shaped like a “waist”. It has a brown thorax and abdomen, and a yellow and brown stripe on its abdomen. The hornet stings when it is grabbed, and it is also a very aggressive insect around food sources.
The European hornet is another large social wasp, and it stings when people step on it. It is also very aggressive, and is known to attack people, especially when they are in its nest.
