Social Wasps
What are they?
A small group (in our area at least) of strongly-marked wasps with something of a reputation for being aggressive. These creatures are generally not a threat of left in peace, but occasionally nests have to be removed if they occur close to human habitation. Like honey bees, these species live in large, social colonies with most of the work being carried out by sterile females. Unlike honey bees, however, the whole colony tends to die by the end of the year, with just the queen surviving to hibernate and begin a new colony the following year. Social wasps are important predators of garden, horticultural and agricultural pests, and as such they perform an important service to man in the wider countryside.
Identification
With only a handful of species in our area, identification is straightforward, based on overall color and abdominal markings.
Eastern Yellowjacket Vespula maculifrons
A widespread and common species with perhaps the worst reputation for being aggressive of all North American wasps. However, as with most things, they are pretty docile if left in peace and nests should be left undisturbed unless they are a real inconvenience (such as along side a house or public highway where people regularly walk. Nests are usually in a hole low down, or even in the ground.
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Bald-faced Hornet Dolichovespula maculata
A widespread and common species that makes large and often conspicuous, paper nests that hang in open trees or bushes.
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European Hornet Vespa crabro
A large and intimidating, rust-and-yellow species that was accidentally introduced into North America from Europe in the 1880s. Though not especially common, this species appears to be spreading throughout the USA and is occasionally found throughout our area. Though large and somewhat scary-looking, they are surprisingly docile - but being stung by one is not recommended! European Hornets are formidable predators of other insects, taking even the largest horse flies, butterflies and similar-sized creatures.
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