There are six species of social wasp that are native to Britain and this is a good time of year to identify them.
Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) – 2 cm long, with bright yellow and black banded abdomen, with an waist between the thorax and abdomen. They have two pairs of wings and long, robust antennae. The queens are larger than workers
Red wasp (Vespula rufa) usually has red/brown markings on the first and second abdominal segments coupled with the pattern of black markings and these are diagnostic of the species.
Image by Kjetil Fjellheim [CC BY 2.0]
German wasp (Vespula germanica) Very like the Common Wasp, but slightly bigger. There are usually three black spots on the face and the antennae are black right down at the base. The thoracic stripes usually bulge in the middle and there are four yellow spots at the rear of the thorax.
Iamage by Gail Hampshire (CC BY 2.0)
European hornet (Vespa velutina) Size 25 to 35 mm – Britain’s largest social wasp. Queens are larger than the males and workers The thorax area is brownand it has alternating bright orange-yellow and brownish-black stripes along the abdomen.
Image by Rushall Canal
The tree wasp (Dolichovespula sylvestris) Length 22 mm. The face of this species is usually clear yellow with one dot. Antennae yellow right at the base. Thorax with hairs at the sides and two yellow spots at the rear.
Image by Gail Hampshire [CC BY 2.0}
Paper wasp (Polistes nimpha) The colours are very distinct and the abdominal bands do not taper at their sides.
Image by Hectonichus [CC BY-SA 4.0]
Header Image: Vespula vulgaris by JL Boyer [CC BY 4.0]
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 
Whatever the different varieties, they still sting !
But they do eat greenfly 👍
Most, if not all, of these species of wasp feed their larvae on invertebrate prey. So although they won’t eat your greenfly, they will take them away.
Isn’t it a bit late for feeding larvae? Most of the wasps in my garden seem much more interested in the sticky honeydew the aphids are leaving all over the leaves.