Rank Genus | Family Vespidae Scientific name Dolichovespula Order Hymenopterans | |
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Lower classifications Bald‑faced hornet, Dolichovespula saxonica, Median wasp, Dolichovespula sylvestris, Dolichovespula norwegica | ||
Bald faced hornet vespidae dolichovespula maculata queen close up
Dolichovespula is a small genus of social wasps distributed widely throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The yellow and black members of the genus are known by the common name yellowjackets in North America, such as Dolichovespula norwegica, along with members of their sister genus Vespula. In a study on the nesting biology of Dolichovespula, D. maculata was found to have the largest population count at 771.
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Overview
A set of morphological differences distinguishes them from Vespula. The most noticeable is the long face (dolikhos = "long" in Greek). Viewed from the front, Dolichovespula faces are long, while Vespula faces are short and round. The oculo-malar space, the distance between the eye and the mandible, is long in Dolichovespula and short in Vespula.
Dolichovespula nests are usually aerial, while Vespula often nest underground.
Species
The following species are recognised:
