However, the discovery of the giant and intact European wasp nest has instead been met with great interest from the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

The gallery this week posted on Facebook three pictures of the nest, discovered in a Launceston rail carriage in September, which has since caused a stir of online enthusiasm.

QVMAG collections officer Judy Rainbird said the lightweight, paper-like construction would likely be used for the museum’s educational program.

‘‘Often they’re found in the ground or in cavities, which can make it hard to get a nest out intact,’’ Mrs Rainbird said.

‘‘This would represent a season’s growth.’’

Museum honorary research associate Simon Fearn said nests usually decayed during the colder months, but could last more than one season if sheltered in the Southern Hemisphere.

‘‘The largest nests on record have been found in New Zealand on the sides of palm trees,’’ Mr Fearn said.

‘‘Those nests have been 5.5 metres long and have weighed several tonnes.

‘‘If you interfere with the nest you can be very badly stung. They will defend the nest if you start poking around at the entrance ... there have been deaths recorded.’’

He said European wasps were first found in Hobart in 1959 and rapidly spread across the state. He asked anyone with large empty wasp nests, about two metres or more in size, to call the museum on 63233777.

WINTER: Queen wasps hibernate in shelter, leaving their nest to decay in cold, wet weather.

SPRING: The queens will create a new nest in a sheltered position and begin creating new drones.

SUMMER: The colony and nests continue to grow in warmer months.

AUTUMN: The size of the wasp colony decreases as drones mate with queens and die off.