European paper wasp, avispa cartonera

Description:

Very common of social wasp of Europe. It has a black body with yellow stains. It can reach 2 cm long. The abdomen is long with a very narrow waist. Although it is often mistaken for a yellow jacket, it is easy to identify by the orange antennae. At the end of the abdomen it has a sting with very toxic venom but it shows very low aggressivity. It is a eusocial wasp. The nests are constructed of paper fabricated from cellulose from tree bark.

Habitat:

Spotted in a Holm oak and pine tree forest.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/000 sec.; f/10; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.