Wasp or Bee

[Erichalfbee]

Posted in another thread by Amari

That's interesting. I was called by a neighbour this morning: "Bees have moved in". In fact it was small wasps about 3/4 size of the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris. They were busily entering and leaving through a small hole in a garden room gable. The exiting bees were all carrying small loads of white material, some of which had caught on a cobweb. It was a white coarse crumbly powder. My neighbour had tasted it, thinking it might be honey!
We wondered if the wasps were stealing the under-roof insulation?

I cannot identify this presumably social wasp because it is definitely smaller than the 22mm quoted for the common wasp and other socials.

An identical wasp has a nest in the soil 2m from our patio table. They're very busy flying in and out. We can sit and eat lunch and not feel threatened - they do not invade our personal space in contrast to their vulgar cousins.

Can anyone help with identification. And could they be stealing my neighbour's insulation?

 

[kazmcc]

Wasp sizes are extremely variable, I have some really tiny Vespula vulgaris workers. Sounds like social wasps to me. Esp excavating and being seen carrying the insulation away. A photo would help though.

 

[Amari]

Many thanks Kaz.