Identification keys and general biology are given in Krombein (1967), Morgan (1984) and Kunz (1994). Great care must be taken when distinguishing this species from O. puncticollis.

An all-black species with bifasciate wings. Identification is not too difficult using Day (1988), but it should be noted that the captions to figures 40 and 42 are transposed. The generic name refers to the tufts of forward-pointing bristles on the maxilla of the female; these are used to pack the nest entrance with old spider silk.

Gayubo & Felton (2000) provide an identification key to the six European Nitela species, as well as detailed descriptions. Felton (1987) keyed the two British species, misidentifying N. lucens as N. spinolae.

Passaloecus species are small to very small, elongate, black wasps which nest particularly in beetle borings in posts and other cavities, and prey on aphids. The biology of this species is described by Merisuo (1973), and keys to the European species groups of the genus Passaloecus are in Merisuo (1974).

Distinguished from other Chrysis species in having four distinct acute teeth on the posterior margin of the third gastral tergum, and the first gastral tergite is blue-black. Identification keys are given in Morgan (1984). Information concerning general biology is given by Kunz (1994).

One of three large species of Priocnemis with plentiful erect hair on the face and propodeum (subgenus Umbripennis). P. perturbator is often found at the flowers of Wood spurge, Euphorbia amygdaloides, in woodlands during May. Identification is given in Day (1988). Many early records for this species may be confused with those for its close relative P. susterai Haupt.

Females of this species are readily confused with Priocnemis pusillus, P. cordivalvata and P. gracilis, although the males are readily distinguishable. Keys to species and general biology are given in Richards & Hamm (1939), Wolf (1972), Day (1988) and Falk (1991).

A medium sized, long-cheeked social wasp which is the most common species of the genus Dolichovespula in Britain.

First found in Britain in 1978 by M. Edwards. An important paper on this species is that by Else (1997). See also Dicker (1982). A key to European species groups of the genus Passaloecus is given by Merisuo (1974).