411 Records

This large, striking wasp is actually a species of yellowjacket, despite the common name. It is very common throughout the state, and normally makes enclosed paper nests aerially in trees or bushes.

Dolichovespula maculata could potentially be confused with the blackjacket (Vespula consobrina) and the parasitic yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arctica). It can be distinguished from V. consobrina by a long oculomalar space (area between insertion of mandible and lower edge of eye), by showing a pronotal carina, and by less extensive pale markings on the abdomen. It can be distinguished from D. arctica by the black or almost entirely-black hind tibia (pale on arctica). D. maculata also tends to have less extensive pale markings on the abdomen, mostly restricted to tergite 4 onwards. (Buck et al. 2008)

Bald-faced Hornets build their nests using wood fiber from a variety of sources. Some songbirds use pieces of the hornets' paper-like nest in their own nest-building.