Definition

Noun A species of social wasp belonging to the genus Vespula, commonly known as the common wasp. It is characterized by its black and yellow striped abdomen and is known for building paper nests, often in the ground or in cavities.

Usage

The term "Vespula vulgaris" is used in formal, scientific, or entomological contexts to refer specifically to this insect species. It is less common in everyday conversation, where "common wasp" is typically used.

Examples * The biologist studied the foraging behavior of Vespula vulgaris. * Vespula vulgaris is often considered a pest because it is attracted to human food. * A nest of Vespula vulgaris was found in the garden shed.

Advanced Usage

• In ecological studies, is noted as both a predator of other insects and a scavenger.
• The specific epithet "" is Latin for "common."

Variants and Related Words

• Common wasp: The standard common name for .
• Yellowjacket: A common name in North America often used for wasps in the genera and , which can lead to confusion as is primarily a Eurasian species.

Synonyms

• Common wasp

Related Phrases

• Social wasp: A descriptive phrase indicating that lives in colonies with a queen and workers.
• Paper wasp: A related term, though it more accurately refers to wasps in the genus , which construct similar paper nests but have different nesting habits and body shapes.

Noun

1. a variety of vespid wasp