Aerial-nester
Guides
Dolichovespula alpicola
Rocky Mountain Aerial Yellowjacket
Dolichovespula alpicola is a social wasp in the family Vespidae, described by Eck in 1984. It is known from high-elevation habitats in western North America, particularly in coniferous forests of the Rocky Mountains. The species belongs to a genus that includes both independent-founding wasps and social parasites, though the specific biology of D. alpicola remains poorly documented compared to its congeners.
Dolichovespula maculata
Bald-faced Hornet, Bald Hornet, White-faced Hornet, White-tailed Hornet, Spruce Wasp, Blackjacket, Bull Wasp
Dolichovespula maculata is a social wasp native to North America, commonly known as the bald-faced hornet despite being a yellowjacket rather than a true hornet (genus Vespa). It constructs large, enclosed paper nests suspended from branches or structures, with colonies reaching 400–700 workers—the largest recorded in its genus. The species is immediately recognizable by its black body with white facial markings and white banding at the abdomen tip. Workers are aggressively defensive of their nests and can spray venom toward intruders.