Evergreen Natural History Database

There are three species in the V. vulgaris species group in the Northwest US. The members of the V. vulgaris species group are some of the most abundant and pestiferous wasps. The wasps of this species group have evolved to be scavengers as well as predators. The success of these wasps has been attributed to these scavenging tendencies. Scavenging increases food possibilities in the fall, when live insect prey becomes scarce. This extends the colony life cycle later into the year, resulting in larger colonies. Colonies of this group can be active for two months longer in the fall than colonies of the V. rufa group and Dolichovespula (Akre et al., 1980).

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Last updated Tuesday, August 08, 2006, by Lisa Ferrier