Yellowjackets
Guides
Dolichovespula
Aerial Yellowjackets, yellowjackets
Dolichovespula is a genus of social wasps in the family 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 species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with notable members including the baldfaced hornet (D. maculata) and the aerial yellowjacket (D. arenaria). Some species, such as D. arctica, are social parasites that lack a worker caste and infiltrate nests of other Dolichovespula species to exploit their workforce.
Vespula
yellowjackets, yellow jackets, Ground Yellowjackets
Vespula is a genus of social wasps in the family Vespidae, collectively known as yellowjackets in North America. The genus is distinguished from its sister genus Dolichovespula by a shorter oculomalar space and a stronger tendency to nest underground. Vespula species are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with most species native to North America and four species (V. austriaca, V. germanica, V. rufa, V. vulgaris) native to Europe. Several species have been introduced outside their native ranges, including V. germanica and V. vulgaris in New Zealand, Australia, South America, and Southern Africa.