The Norwegian Wasp

The Norwegian Wasp: Dolichovespula norwegica

Widespread in the UK, with nests in trees and bushes

Norwegian Wasp FAQs

The Norwegian Wasp (Dolichovespula norwegica) is a eusocial wasp species common across the UK, particularly abundant in northern and western regions, including Scotland, Ireland, and Shetland. It is often called a tree wasp due to its nesting habits in low branches, bushes, and occasionally ground-level sites like grass tussocks. While rarely considered a pest, some cases of pest issues have been reported, and it is not endangered.

This species is distinguished by a long malar space (the distance between the eye and jaw) and a broad black vertical bar dividing the face. The antennae have a yellow base, and the thorax features black hairs on the sides with two yellow spots at the rear. The abdomen often shows red markings on the first and second tergites, though these can be absent in some specimens, making them resemble Dolichovespula saxonica. Unlike D. saxonica, D. norwegica has black thoracic hairs and lacks additional yellow spots below the scutellar pair.

D. norwegica nests are typically aerial, suspended from twigs or bushes, with a looser covering compared to other wasps. Colonies are short-lived, starting in spring with a summer-advantage strategy. Queens emerge in mid-to-late April, founding nests by mid-May. Workers (averaging 50 by June, peaking at 300 by late July) take over brood-rearing, while new queens and males emerge by mid-July. A typical colony produces around 1,471 wasps, with 43% queens and 57% drones. Nests decline by August.

Adults feed on nectar from plants like Angelica sylvestris, Heracleum spondylium, and umbellifers (e.g., wild parsnip), preferring sweet tastes. Larvae consume flies, spiders, and other insects, chewed into a paste by workers. Larvae have a single tooth and expel a sweet liquid consumed by adults. The species is a host for the social parasite Dolichovespula adulterina, which can take over nests.

Taxonomically, D. norwegica belongs to the Vespidae family and Dolichovespula genus, which is monophyletic with Vespula based on mitochondrial gene studies. It was once considered conspecific with D. albida, but 2011 male genitalia studies confirmed they are distinct. Low queen mating frequency results in high worker-worker relatedness (0.71) but low effective paternity (1.08), leading to worker-queen conflict over male production.

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