Media Wasp

... conjures up an image of a sleazy slouchy sloth in a faded dirty mac with a press card stuck in the hat band of his Homburg and an unfiltered cigarette glued to his lower lip.

It is I understand strictly a Median Wasp, Dolichovespula media. I believe this is an example of the species, not native to Great Britain. I found this specimen crawling around on my calf as I sat in my lounge today. I think it is a Queen.

Queenie flew off, presumably to found a colony; though she may not survive as she appeared quite knackered (Royal Tours can be quite stressful) and allowed me to position this ten pence piece next to her for comparison purposes - she was enormous compared to other wasps.