Dolichovespula saxonica, also known as the Saxon wasp, is a common social wasp found in the
palearctic region, specifically in large parts of
Europe and in northern and central
Asia. Although originally from Europe,
D. saxonica has since colonized
Britain, mainly in the south and east, but has been recorded as far north as
East Lothian,
Scotland. Most of their nests are above ground in trees and bushes, but they can also be found in buildings. Due to the proliferation of nests in urban areas and near residential homes,
D. saxonica can be a pest for people. As a result, many human interventions are in place to remove Saxon nests.
D. saxonica has been found to use chemical signaling in a lot of behaviors, such as alarm calls, fertility cues, and chemical trails.