European Wasp (4/6)

Hymenoptera: Vespidae

Vespula Germanica  

This is one of the wasp nests we found. It is a hole in the ground which the wasps have excavated and lined with vegetable fibres made into a wallpaper. Wasps streamed in and out continuously.

Perched precariously between the wasp nest in front of him, and a drop into a large waterhole immediately behind, your humble photographer, protected only by a t-shirt, felt a strong desire not to traumatise these lovely little creatures.

Whilst the European Wasp is not aggressive without reason, it can sting repeatedly, and unlike honey-bees, without apparent ill-effects to itself. If a threat to a nest is detected, the wasp also emits a chemical which signals other wasps to join the attack. I didn't particularly want any misunderstandings between us which might result in conflict. I'd hate to have to hurt any of them*.

*This final sentence should be interpreted as: Drowning in very cold water weighed down by a large camera and suffering several dozen wasp stings didn't strike me as a particularly attractive way to go.