Wasps In Austria: What You Need To Know

Austria is home to several species of wasps, including the German wasp, the Common wasp, and the red-fronted dagger wasp. The mammoth wasp, the largest wasp species in Europe, has also been spotted in the country in recent years. This species is typically found in the Mediterranean but has been sighted in Vienna and Lower Austria. Due to climatic warming, it is expected that the mammoth wasp will continue to spread throughout Austria in the coming years. Another wasp species found in Austria is the Asian hornet, which was first sighted in the country in April 2024 in the city of Salzburg.

The mammoth wasp is the largest species in Europe, with a body length of up to 4.5cm

The mammoth wasp (Megascolia maculata) is the largest wasp species in Europe, with a body length of up to 4.5 cm. This species of wasp belongs to the family Scoliidae in the order Hymenoptera. The female mammoth wasp, distinguished by her yellow head, can reach a length of 4.5 cm, while the male, identified by his black head, is smaller.

The mammoth wasp is found in Mediterranean habitats across southern Europe, as far north as Belgium, and into Russia, North Africa, and the Near East. In Austria, a few specimens of this species were first discovered in Vienna and Lower Austria at the end of the 19th century. Since then, there have been sporadic sightings in eastern Austria. The wasp's presence in Austria is attributed to the region's climatic warming, and it is expected that the species will continue to spread throughout the country in the coming years.

The mammoth wasp is primarily distinguished by its size and colouration. The wasp's body is covered in downy hair and is glossy black with two yellow bands across its abdomen, sometimes appearing as four yellow spots. The female of the species has shorter antennae than the male. The mammoth wasp's head is notably large, and its colour can vary from yellow to orange-red or red. The posterior part of the abdomen is covered with reddish bristles.

Due to its striking appearance, the mammoth wasp is relatively easy to identify. However, it can be confused with the hairy flower wasp (Scolia hirta), a smaller species that also has yellow spots on its abdomen. To differentiate between the two, one should note the colour of the head, as the hairy flower wasp has a black head, in contrast to the yellow, orange-red, or red head of the mammoth wasp.

The Asian hornet, introduced to France from Southeast Asia in 2004, was sighted in Salzburg, Austria, in 2024

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the yellow-legged hornet or Asian predatory wasp, is indigenous to Southeast Asia. It was accidentally introduced to Europe in 2004, when it arrived in France in a container of pottery passing through the port of Bordeaux. By 2009, several thousand nests were in the area of Bordeaux and the surrounding departments, and by the end of 2015, they were reported over most of France. The hornet then spread to other European countries, including Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK.

In August 2023, the first live specimen of this species was detected in the United States, near Savannah, Georgia. This was followed by a report from South Carolina in November 2023, and the discovery of nests in 2024.

In 2024, the Asian hornet was sighted in Salzburg, Austria. This marks the first sighting of the species in the country and raises concerns about its potential impact on local ecosystems, particularly honeybee colonies.

The Asian hornet is a highly effective predator of insects, including honey bees. They are known to station themselves near the entrance of honey bee colonies, capturing returning bees and turning them into "meatballs" for their larvae. This behavior can have severe consequences for bee colonies, disrupting pollen flow and potentially leading to the decline of the colony.

The hornet is slightly smaller than the European hornet, with queens reaching up to 30 mm in length and workers up to 25 mm. It is easily recognized by its appearance, with distinctive yellow tarsi (legs) and a black or dark brown thorax. The abdominal segments have narrow posterior yellow borders, except for the fourth segment, which is orange. The head is black, and the face is yellow.

Wasps are protected in Austria, so killing or disturbing them without reason is discouraged

Wasps are, in fact, protected in Austria, so killing or disturbing them without reason is strongly discouraged. While fines are rare, the head of the Naturschutzbund Steiermark, Johannes Gepp, has stated that a first offence could result in a lesson from a nature or mountain warden, who would explain the usefulness of wasps.

Wasps are essential to the ecosystem, pollinating flowers, eating other insects, and serving as food for other animals, including birds, mice, and badgers. They also help control pests in forests and regulate the population of fast-growing insect populations, such as flies and horseflies.

In Austria, the mammoth wasp (Megascolia maculata), the largest wasp species in Europe, has been spotted in recent years. This species, native to the Mediterranean, has a body length of up to 4.5 cm and is characterized by a yellow, orange-red, or red head, yellow spots on the abdomen, and reddish bristles on the posterior part of the abdomen.

Due to milder winters and springs, the number of wasps in Austria may increase. To avoid attracting wasps, it is recommended to cover food and drinks, wash children's hands and mouths after eating, and regularly collect fallen fruit in the garden. Wasps are also known to be repelled by certain plants, such as mint, lemon balm, and lavender.

If you discover a wasp nest, it is advisable to maintain a distance of at least five meters and refrain from attempting to remove or disturb it. Instead, contact a professional for assistance.

Wasps are pollinators and pest controllers, eating up to 2kg of insects per day

Yes, Austria does have wasps. The mammoth wasp (*Megascolia maculate*) is the largest wasp species in Europe, with a body length of up to 4.5 cm. In Austria, this species has been spotted in Vienna, Lower Austria, and eastern Austria.

Wasps are often seen as pests, but they are also beneficial to ecosystems. They are pollinators and pest controllers, eating up to 2 kg of insects per day. This helps keep the ecosystem balanced and benefits humans by reducing the number of nuisance insects and garden pests that can damage crops.

Wasps play a specific role in their ecosystems that provides significant benefits to the plants in their territory. They act as pollinators and provide effective pest control against other insects and pests. Wasps have a high metabolism and need to consume a lot of energy-rich food to stay active. This includes sugars from nectar and proteins from insects. When searching for nectar, wasps come into contact with pollen, which they then transfer between plants, acting as pollinators. Social wasps, which have workers that search for food for their larvae, are more effective pollinators than solitary wasps as they visit more plants.

While wasps may not be as efficient at pollination as bees, they are still important for certain flowers that bees are not attracted to. These flowers often have abundant and accessible nectar in shallow spaces, allowing wasps to drink easily. Some orchid species, for example, rely solely on specific wasp species for pollination. Wasps are also specialized pollinators for fig plants, with the two species having evolved together over 60 million years.

In addition to their role as pollinators, wasps are also voracious predators of other insects. Each summer, social wasps in the UK capture an estimated 14 million kilograms of insect prey, such as caterpillars and greenfly. They hunt insects to feed to their young, known as larvae, and their appetite for insects helps reduce the need for chemical pesticides, which benefits the overall population of pollinators.

To avoid attracting wasps, keep food and drinks covered and wash your hands after eating

Yes, Austria does have wasps, and it's important to know how to avoid attracting them. Here are some detailed tips to avoid attracting wasps in Austria:

Keep Food and Drinks Covered:

Wasps are primarily attracted to meat and sweets, so keep these foods covered. Make sure to seal sweet drinks and don't drink directly from cans or bottles. Use a straw, preferably non-plastic or reusable, when possible. This is especially important when children are present, as they may be more likely to leave food and drinks unattended or uncovered.

Wash Your Hands After Eating:

After eating, be sure to wash your hands and face, especially when eating sweet or meaty foods. Wasps are attracted to the scent of food on your skin or around your mouth, so proper hygiene can help reduce the likelihood of attracting them.

Maintain Good Hygiene Practices:

In addition to personal hygiene, maintain good hygiene practices in your surroundings. Regularly collect fallen fruit in your garden, seal organic waste bins, and dispose of leftover food promptly. Wasps are attracted to the scent of food, so proper waste management can help deter them.

Be Mindful of Scents:

Certain scents, such as mint, lemon balm, lavender, basil, peppermint, cloves, tea trees, and eucalyptus, are unpleasant to wasps. Consider using these scents in the form of essential oils or fragrance lamps to create a wasp-repelling atmosphere.

Avoid Violent Movements:

When wasps are nearby, avoid thrashing your arms or making violent movements. Remain calm and still, as wasps can sense fear, and sudden movements may be perceived as threatening. Exhaled carbon dioxide can also make them aggressive, so try not to blow at them.

Call Professionals for Nest Removal:

If you discover a wasp nest, maintain a safe distance of at least five meters, and do not attempt to remove or disturb it yourself. Contact professional pest controllers or the firefighter department if there is an imminent danger, such as a nest near a retirement home or a household with allergic individuals.

By following these tips, you can effectively reduce your chances of attracting wasps and maintain a safe distance from them. Remember, wasps are an essential part of the ecosystem, and while they can be a nuisance, taking preventive measures can help ensure peaceful coexistence.

Frequently asked questions