Dolichovespula

Rohwer, 1916

Aerial Yellowjackets, yellowjackets

Species Guides

6

Dolichovespula is a of social in the Vespidae, commonly known as aerial yellowjackets. These wasps build exposed paper nests in trees, shrubs, or under building overhangs rather than underground. The genus includes approximately 20 distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with notable members including the baldfaced (D. maculata) and the aerial yellowjacket (D. arenaria). Some species, such as D. arctica, are social that lack a and infiltrate nests of other Dolichovespula species to exploit their workforce.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dolichovespula: /ˌdɒlɪkoʊˈvɛspjʊlə/

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

Identification

Dolichovespula can be distinguished from the related Vespula (ground-nesting yellowjackets) by their nest placement: Dolichovespula constructs aerial nests while Vespula nests are typically subterranean. Members of this genus fold their wings longitudinally when at rest. The baldfaced (D. maculata) is readily identified by its black and white coloration, contrasting with the black and yellow pattern of most other species. D. arctica, a social , is larger than and has black and white coloration rather than black and yellow.

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Habitat

Forested and wooded environments, particularly coniferous forests at higher elevations. Nests are constructed in aerial locations including tree limbs, shrubs, under building eaves, and occasionally on windowpanes or other structures. Some show preference for high elevation in mountainous regions.

Distribution

Widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, ranges from Alaska and Canada south through the United States to northern Mexico, with presence along major mountain ranges extending to Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona, and California. Also occurs in Eurasia. Approximately 20 recognized worldwide, with four species reported from South Korea.

Seasonality

Colonies are founded in spring by overwintered queens. Nest activity peaks in late summer and early autumn. Nests are abandoned before winter and not reused; only newly mated queens survive the winter in sheltered locations.

Life Cycle

colony cycle. A single initiates nest construction in spring, laying in paper . First develops into that assume foraging and nest maintenance duties. Queen transitions to exclusive egg-laying. Colony expands through summer, reaching hundreds of workers by late summer. In autumn, workers construct oversized cells for new queens and males. After mating, new queens seek hibernal shelter while the colony dies off.

Behavior

Social forming hierarchical colonies with queens, , and males. Workers cooperate in nest construction, foraging, care, and nest defense. Nest building involves chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva to create papery pulp. Workers strip fibers from weathered wood, dead branches, or building siding. Nests are continuously modified, with portions of the exterior envelope removed to accommodate expanding brood combs. Some exhibit social : D. arctica females infiltrate colonies, evict or dominate the host , and exploit host workers to raise their own offspring.

Ecological Role

of caterpillars, flies, , and other insects; significant consumers of garden and landscape pests. Certain such as D. sylvestris act as . Social structure represents a major evolutionary transition enabling efficient resource use and enhanced reproductive success.

Human Relevance

Nests attached to buildings or in high-traffic areas may require removal due to defensive stinging . Baldfaced hornets in particular are notably aggressive when nests are disturbed. Stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions requiring medical attention. Conversely, nests in undisturbed locations provide beneficial pest control services. Social (D. arctica) are rarely encountered and of minimal direct human concern.

Similar Taxa

  • VespulaAlso called yellowjackets but distinguished by subterranean nest placement; Dolichovespula nests are aerial.
  • PolistesPaper wasps that build exposed combs without the enclosing paper envelope characteristic of Dolichovespula.
  • Dolichovespula arcticaSocial within the ; larger than , black and white rather than black and yellow, lacks worker .

Misconceptions

The 'baldfaced ' for D. maculata is misleading as this is technically a yellowjacket ( Dolichovespula), not a true hornet (genus Vespa). A widespread misconception holds that large paper nests are reused for multiple seasons; in fact, Dolichovespula nests are abandoned annually and never reused.

More Details

Social parasitism

D. arctica (also known as D. adulterina) is an obligate social of D. arenaria and related . The parasite female enters nests before , may evict the host or consume her , and relies entirely on host workers to rear her offspring. The parasite species has no worker —only reproductive females and males.

Nest architecture

Nests consist of multiple horizontal combs of paper enclosed in a papery envelope with a single entrance. Nests can reach the size of a basketball or beach ball by early autumn. The structure is continuously modified: outer envelope layers are removed as inner combs expand, creating a dynamic construction process.

Colony size

A colony of D. maculata with 771 represents the largest recorded count for the , though most colonies are smaller. Typical nests contain several hundred workers by late summer.

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Sources and further reading