hornet nest - Dolichovespula maculata

hornet nest

Both hornets (Baldfaced and Aerial) were common in this area where the nest was found although I have to add that the Aerial hornets were common around this area but not elsewhere while Baldfaced Hornets were found in many other areas where I go to photograph.

… Ilona L., 10 May, 2008 - 11:06am

Nest

That nest is deffinetly a D. arenaria nest and a rather big one at that. I can tell by the size of the cells and the shape of the combs.

… Jeremy Miller, 9 May, 2008 - 10:24pm

looks like an aerial yellowjacket(D. arenaria) nest. The cells look a little too small to be from a bald faced hornet. It looks like somebody might have sprayed it and messed with it... being that the outer envelope is removed.

… vulgaris, 8 October, 2007 - 7:26am

Thanks. Could it also be tha

Thanks. Could it also be that this is an older nest, one that was built last year and not used this year which could account for the rather bedraggled appearance?

… Ilona L., 8 October, 2007 - 2:18pm

It could be....

but i doubt a nest could make it through the winter without getting torn apart. Plus, some of the cells still look capped, indicating that new yellowjackets will still hatch.

… vulgaris, 8 October, 2007 - 2:43pm

I respectfully disagree.

I think this is indeed a bald-faced hornet nest. The cells look way too big for aerial yellowjackets....Also, the capped cells indicate pupae that DIDN'T emerge, likely from disase or parasites. Yes, it is an old nest in the sense that Dolichovespula colonies tend to expire earlier in the season than underground Vespula nests that are better protected from the elements.

… Eric R. Eaton, 8 October, 2007 - 3:34pm

realy?

im still getting used to doing this! those cells looked a little to small for maculata to me, especially on the bottam combs.

… vulgaris, 8 October, 2007 - 6:18pm