66 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
about 1956, A. C. Wheeler; and several ♀ on the Suffolk bank of
the river Stour near Flatford Mill, 20.9.1959, D. A. J. Hunford.
VESPULA Thomson, C. G. 1869
Vespula austriaca (Panzer 1799). This wasp is parasitic on
V. rufa, and so far does not appear to have been recorded in the
county.
Vespula germanica (Fabricius 1793). This is one of the com-
mon, or garden, wasps which often enter houses, and is common
in most, if not all parts of the county. It nests in the ground as
well as in out-houses, attics, etc.
Vespula norwegica (Fabricius 1781). This wasp, which nests
in trees, has been recorded from Lexden, 1893, Harwood (1903);
St. Osyth, Harwood (1903); and Colchester, Saunders (1896).
Nests were reported from Woodford in 1884 and 1888, Elliot
(1889). A male specimen in the Cole-Fitch collection, which is
labelled "Colchester, 1893, W.H.H.", is correctly identified.
There are no Essex specimens in the Harwood collections.
This wasp does not appear to have been recorded from Essex
for over 70 years.
Vespula rufa (Linnaeus 1758). This wasp, which nests in the
ground, is the host of V. austriaca and it is probably not uncom-
mon over most of the county. Records include Colchester, 1884,
Harwood (1884); and there are specimens of the queen and
worker castes in the Cole-Fitch collection, some of which are
labelled "Colchester and district, 1896, W.H.H." One ♀ from
Scrub Hill near Warley, 29.5.1959; one ♀ on sallow catkins,
Long Running, Epping Forest, 16.4.1960. A. C. Wheeler; many ♀
on a plant of water figwort (Scrophularia aquatica) near Wake
Arms, Epping Forest, 17.7.1960; and many f at Navestock Park,
20.8.1960.
Vespula sylvestris (Scopoli 1763). This species nests in trees
and under overhanging banks; it does not usually nest in the
ground. It is probably not quite so common as the previous
species. Records include Colchester district, Harwood (1884);
Woodford, Cole (1885): one ♂ Norsey Wood, Billericay, 30.7.1960;
and three ♂ Hales Wood, near Saffron Walden, 27.8.1960. A
specimen was collected on the Kentish Knock light vessel which
is about 20 miles off Harwich, on 29.5.1953, French (1954).
Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus 1758). This is the second of the two
common, or garden, wasps which often enter houses. It occurs in
most, if not all, parts of the county, and is probably as common as
V. germanica.
BOMBUS Latreille 1809
Bombus agrorum (Fabricius, 1787). Widspread and common
in the county. Together with B. lucorum and B. terrestris it is
one of our commonest bumble-bees. Recent records include
Billericay, 30.4.1961; Buckhurst Hill. 23.5.1952; Grays, 13.8.1960;
Hockley, 30.7.1960; Loughton. 31.7.1960; Hales Wood near Saffron