Dolichovespula norwegica

The Norwegian wasp (Dolichovespula norwegica) is a species of eusocial wasp. It is common in Scotland and can also be found in other areas in Britain and Ireland. Often known for being a tree wasp, it nests in low branches and bushes and feeds on insects. It also obtains nectar from blueberry and snowberry flowers. Although Dolichovespula norwegica were rarely considered as pests in the past, a few cases of pest problems relating to D. norwegica have been reported multiple times. The species is not endangered. The Norwegian wasp is classified under the family Vespidae and the genus Dolichovespula. Based on recent studies on mitochondria genes, Dolichovespula and Vespula are monophyletic, meaning they descended from common ancestors. Two species groups, maculata and norwegica form the Dolichovespula clade. While the maculata has physical attributes such as pronotal striae, emarginate apex of the seventh metasomal sternum in males, and aedeagal medial lobes, D. norwegica females have long oculo-malar space and lateroanterior clypeal angles with less prominent semicircular projections. In the past, Dolichovespula norwegica and Dolichovespula albida, the Arctic yellowjacket from northern North America, were considered to be the same species but studies in 2011 of the male genitalia show that they are not conspecific. Often, the male genitalia are used to characterise the Nearctic and Palearctic forms of Dolichovespula norwegica. Dolichovespula norwegica has eye-catching black and yellow colour patterns throughout its body. Starting from the face, it has a long malar space and is separated by a black bar that runs vertically. The sides of the thorax contain small black hairs that project outwards and the rear has distinct yellow spots. One can often see red colouring on the front of the abdomen. Dolichovespula is derived from the Greek word, dolichos, which means long. Its genus name matches with physical characteristics.The average length of an individual of this species is 11– 18 mm long. Compared to the dolichovespula maculata species, whose adults range from 2–3 cm. Queens are generally around 1.7 cm and workers are smaller, around 1.3 cm Most nests of these species have a loose, coarse woven texture which suggests that D. norwegica are terrestrial. One such nest was found, spherical in size, approximately 10.5 cm long, 10.5 cm at its widest point and 15 cm off the ground. This nest was fastened from the top of a willow branch and was further stabilised by a side branch attachment. The nest consisted of eleven envelope layers with a few extra layers on the edge of the top comb. The texture of each layer is rough with some holes from weaving.