Wasp, Málaga province, 04.10.24 (1 Viewer)

[pdwinter]

Short of reference books here so wondered if someone could put a name on this one for me. About 30mm.

 

[pdwinter]

Having done a bit of searching I found that is Vespa orientalis. Apparently getting established in the guadalhorce valley.

 

[aeshna5]

Are these natural colonists or accidental introductions? I see lots of these when I do September trips to Lesvos which is certainly in their natural range. All 3 Vespa species in Europe are pretty distinctive.

 

[pdwinter]

I think they are natural colonists but will need to translate properly some of the Spanish articles I've looked at - when I get back home.

 

[pdwinter]

The initial sightings in Andalucia province were in Algeciras in 2018 near the port and also near a container storage facility so probably that's how the arrived. They have been spreading east.

 

[aeshna5]

The initial sightings in Andalucia province were in Algeciras in 2018 near the port and also near a container storage facility so probably that's how the arrived. They have been spreading east.

Thanks for the detail.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

I had a couple visiting the swimming pool for a drink at our rented accommodation near Tarifa in mid-September this year.