Species Vespula maculifrons - Eastern Yellowjacket

Vespa maculifrons Harris, 1853. Name was never formally published, thus not valid taxonomically.

Vespa maculifrons de Buysson 1905.

Subsequently moved to new genus Vespula. (1)

Workers about 8.5-12 mm (smallest at start of colony cycle), males about 12-15 mm, queens up to about 18 mm. This species averages smaller in all castes than its close relative, Vespula flavopilosa.

Workers and males lack free spots on the abdomen. Wide anchor-shaped black marking with narrow base on first abdominal tergite is diagnostic. Queens have free black spots on abdominal tergites, but show the distinctive anchor-shaped marking on T1 rather than the diamond-shaped marking of V. germanica. Xanthic individuals do occur, more commonly in southern part of range, and these can sometimes have yellow marks on the mesoscutum.

The Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) is one of the most abundant yellowjacket species in North America east of the Great Plains.

Species is extremely adaptable. Forests, meadows and forest edges, including urban and suburban environments. Like all Vespula, colonies are normally subterranean, or sometimes at ground level in stumps and fallen logs. In deciduous forest, nest entrances frequently situated under tree roots or adjacent to logs on the ground. Of 29 colonies confirmed as this species in western Pennsylvania, 24 were subterranean, 3 were in exterior walls of buildings, 1 was beneath a tree stump, and 1 was located in an exposed shale outcropping (B. Coulter, pers. ob.). This total is likely somewhat biased towards natural habitats, as many nests are found in cavities in structures in urban areas.(2)

Annual colonies typically founded by overwintered queens in May-June, and persist into November-December, surviving longer in the South.(2) Most colonies perish after a single season, but this species occasionally develops polygynous perennial colonies in the southern portions of its range.(3)

Adults consume nectar and other fluids. Larvae are fed masticated arthropods or scavenged meat by adults.

In spring, mated female (queen) constructs a small comb and nest envelope. The queen frequently brings food to developing larvae until first workers emerge from pupal cases and assume all colony duties except egg-laying. In late summer, workers construct special larger cells to rear new queens Males develop from unfertilized eggs and mate with the new queens, which then leave the natal colony to hibernate among litter, in logs, and in soil. The old colony declines and all remaining individuals (founding queen, males, workers) perish.(4)

This very yellow (xanthic) male wasp has proved difficuilt to ID to species:

It is either an Eastern or Yellow-Haired Vespula flavopilosa

"Peterson's Field Guide to Insects" plate 16, p.348 (5)

"National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders" plate 486, p.836 (4)

Species page in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region. (6)

The Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota has photos of pinned specimens and information.

Forestry Images has a great shot of a nest.

University of Florida's Featured Creatures has a lot of info on Vespula species, including a color pattern chart to identify between worker, queen, or male.

the website eNature has a complete article with photos and info.