Vapsikud

Vapsikud are a genus of social wasps belonging to the family Vespidae, found primarily in Europe and Asia. They are large, robust insects, often mistaken for bumblebees due to their size and fuzzy appearance. Vapsikud are characterized by their distinct yellow and black banding, although the patterns can vary between species.

These wasps are eusocial, meaning they live in colonies with a reproductive queen and sterile female workers. The colony is typically founded by a single queen in the spring. She builds a nest, usually made from chewed wood pulp mixed with saliva, which gives it a papery texture. Nests can be aerial, attached to trees or buildings, or subterranean, built in the ground.

Vapsikud are omnivores, feeding on a varied diet. Workers hunt insects and other arthropods to feed the larvae, but adult wasps also consume nectar, fruit, and other sugary substances. This dual diet makes them important predators in many ecosystems, helping to control insect populations.

While generally not aggressive unless their nest is threatened or they are provoked, vapsikud can deliver a painful sting. Their sting is not barbed, allowing them to sting multiple times. Their presence is often noted in late summer and autumn when their food sources, such as fallen fruit, become more abundant and they may venture closer to human activity. Colony lifecycles typically end in the autumn, with only new queens surviving the winter to start new colonies the following spring.