Dolichovespula sylvestris
| Dolichovespula sylvestris | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Close-up of facial markings | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Suborder: | Apocrita |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Genus: | Dolichovespula |
| Species: | D. sylvestris |
| Binomial name | |
| Dolichovespula sylvestris (Scopoli, 1763) | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Dolichovespula sylvestris, the tree wasp, is a common species of eusocial wasp from the temperate regions of Eurasia.
Description
Length 22 millimetres (0.87 in). The face of this species is usually clear yellow with a single dot. The antennae are yellow at the base. Thorax with lateral hairs and two posterior yellow spots.[2]
Ecology
This species habitat is woodlands and hedgerows.[2] Around 20% of D. sylvestris nests are constructed underground but normally near the surface in a pre-existing cavity, as opposed to burrowing. Aerial nests are found up to 8.3 metres (27 ft), usually in enclosed spaces such as bird boxes, hollow trees, cavity walls etc., although exposed nests have been found in places where they are sheltered, e.g. in buildings. The flight period begins in March and lasts into September.[3] Can be very aggressive to perceived predators,[2] including humans.
To ensure that eggs in the hive are primarily queen-derived, workers of this species engage in a process known as worker policing.[4]
Distribution
Scandinavia, western Europe, north-west Africa to Central Asia.[5]
References
- ↑ T. Ings & R. Edwards (2002). "Dolichovespula sylvestris (Scopoli,1763)". Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Tree Wasp - Dolichovespula sylvestris". NatureSpot: recording the wildlife of Leicestershire and Rutland. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ↑ "'Dolichovespula sylvestris (Tree wasp)". Cheshire Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps and Ants). RECORD: a biodiversity information system for Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Wirral. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ↑ T. Wenseleers, A. Tofilski & F. L. W. Ratnieks (2005). "Queen and worker policing in the tree wasp Dolichovespula sylvestris" (PDF preprint). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 58 (1): 80–86. doi:10.1007/s00265-004-0892-4.
- ↑ V. V. Dubatolov. "Dolichovespula sylvestris (Scopoli, 1763)". Common wasps of Asian Russia. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
External links
Media related to Dolichovespula sylvestris at Wikimedia Commons