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 In Australia the commonest species of wasp are: the Paper Wasp, the European Wasp and the Mud Wasp.
| PAPER WASP | EUROPEAN WASP | MUD WASP | Appearance | Slender, with long thin wings. They are tan in colour, with darken bands and some yellow on the face | They are bright yellow and have black markings. Long transparent wings, black antennae and mostly yellow legs. | Mud wasps are either all black, or black with orange or yellow bands or markings. | Size | 1 - 1.5cm in length | Workers: 1 - 1.5cm in length Queen: 2cm in length | Varies depending on the particular species | Flying position | Back legs dangle down during flight, often hovers over bushes. | Legs are held close to the body, they fly fast and dont hover. | Solitary wasps, generally only seen on their own. | Nests | 
|  The outer cover is peeled back here for display
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| Shape | In the shape of cone which becomes rounder as the nest grows. (Generally small in size) | Large nest, round or football sized. Can grow to the size of a basketball in summer. | In the form of a tube of mud. | Location | Exposed and suspended under an overhang. | The nest is concealed, often underground or in wall cavities. | Attached to tree trunks or buildings. Also found in unused cavities like pipes. | Food | Caterpillars. | Sweet substances. | Water and nectar. |
Wasp Stings and Wasp ControlIf stung by a wasp, apply an ice pack or anesthetic spray. If the victim is known to be allergic to wasp stings or if symptoms become more severe, medical attention should be sought. The control of wasps is best left to professionals as treating wasps often aggravates them and causes them to sting. However after a treatment, it is best to leave any nests in place for a few weeks. This means any returning wasps not caught in the original treatment will be treated and will also help prevent the creation of new nests.
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