Vespinae

Hornets and Yellowjackets

Genus Guides

Dolichovespula(Aerial Yellowjackets)
Vespa(Hornets)
Vespula(yellowjackets)

Vespinae is a of eusocial within Vespidae, encompassing the largest and most familiar social wasps. The subfamily includes true hornets ( Vespa), yellowjackets (genera Dolichovespula and Vespula), and the poorly known genus Provespa from Southeast Asia. These wasps construct paper nests from chewed wood fibers and exhibit complex colonial organization with - differentiation. Several have become beyond their native ranges, posing significant threats to apiculture and native .

Dolichovespula maculata by (c) Healthy Yards, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Healthy Yards. Used under a CC-BY license.

Vespula germanica by (c) ingridaltmann, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Vespula germanica by (c) Sid Mosdell, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Vespinae: //ˈvɛspɪnaɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Found on all continents except Antarctica. Native ranges span temperate and tropical regions of Eurasia, North America, and northern Africa. Several have been introduced beyond native ranges: Vespa crabro established in eastern North America since the 1800s; Vespa mandarinia detected in Pacific Northwest of North America with efforts ongoing; Vespula germanica and V. vulgaris introduced to multiple regions including New Zealand and South America. The extinct Palaeovespa is known from Eocene fossil deposits in Colorado, North America.

Diet

Primarily of other insects. Vespa are known to attack and feed on honey bees (Apis mellifera and A. cerana), with some species capable of destroying entire colonies through coordinated group . Foraging capture soft-bodied arthropods and other prey to provision developing larvae.

Life Cycle

colony cycle in temperate : queens overwinter as , emerge in spring to establish new nests, first emerge and assume care, nest construction, and foraging duties while focuses on oviposition. Males and future queens produced mid to late summer, mate, then workers and males die in autumn. Only fertilized future founder queens overwinter. Colony duration approximately 15-17 weeks in temperate regions. Tropical species may exhibit extended or colony cycles.

Behavior

Exhibits eusociality with well-developed - differentiation and cooperative care. Workers communicate through chemical signals; some Vespa use specialized abdominal glands (van der Vecht and Richards' glands) to deposit on hives during recruitment for mass attacks. Nest construction involves scraping wood fibers, chewing them into pulp, and applying as paper strips that dry into durable nest material. Nesting habits vary: Dolichovespula species typically build aerial nests in trees or shrubs; Vespula species usually nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows or cavities; Vespa species construct aerial paper nests or occupy pre-existing cavities.

Ecological Role

Apex in many , regulating of other insects. Vespa mandarinia and related can exert substantial pressure on populations, with potential cascading effects on pollination services. Role in forest ecosystem dynamics suggested by dead wood nesting habits of some Dolichovespula species.

Human Relevance

Several are major agricultural and public health concerns. Vespa mandarinia, V. orientalis, and V. tropica are subject to regulations in the United States due to threats to apiculture. Vespa crabro is established as an in eastern North America. Stings can cause severe allergic reactions; V. mandarinia venom is more toxic than venom and stings can be delivered repeatedly. Larvae and pupae of some Asian Vespa species are consumed as food. Historical observations of paper-making may have contributed to development of human papermaking technology in ancient China.

Similar Taxa

PolistinaeAlso eusocial in Vespidae that construct paper nests. Distinguished by different nest architecture (exposed single comb without envelope in most Polistes), less robust body form, and lack of van der Vecht and Richards' glands found in Vespinae.
MasarinaeSolitary or weakly social in Vespidae that also use plant fibers for nest construction, but lack eusocial colony organization and do not prey on live insects for larval provisioning (use pollen and nectar instead).

More Details

Invasive Species Risk

From 2010-2018, nearly 50 interceptions of Vespa and Vespula occurred at U.S. ports of entry. One significant interception involved an entire live nest of V. mandarinia shipped via express courier from Asia. All Vespa except V. crabro are considered -significant by USDA-APHIS.

Glandular Specializations

The van der Vecht and Richards' glands are unique to certain eusocial in Vespinae and Polistinae ; no other wasps, bees, or ants possess these structures. In Vespinae, these glands appear linked to chemical communication during coordinated on colonies.