i have never seen the anchor shape on the first abdominal segment extend all the way across to each side in a maculifrons worker. that is what made me think it might be V. vidua

I agree with the ID; this is without any doubt V. maculifrons. In the north (e.g., here in Ontario where I live) specimens with black markings like this are found occasionally.

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If I'm not mistaken, vidua only has two yellow spots on the metathorax, verses four for maculifrons, and vidua usually has a more extensively black tergum 2. I'm certainly not a vespid expert though, just a long time fan of the group, so a second opinion would be good.

* Edit * - Also, here are some examples of the variation of the anchor shape of tergum 1.

now im pretty sure it maculifrons. i have uploaded a shot showing the markings on the face if that helps. i'll wait for second opinion.

Okay, I am 99.9% certain this is maculifrons after viewing the face shot, particularly due to the black marking going down the frons and top of the clypeus, which is absent in vidua.

I also noticed your specimen has black ventral (anterior) surfaces of the base of the antennae; another characteristic of female maculifrons. Whereas vidua have yellow ventral surfaces of the base of the antennae.

Thanks for adding that pic. Great images by the way.

I'm still hoping someone will offer a second opinion.

help too! :)

the markings on the face look different than this one:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/162496/bgimage

maybe the markings can varry in the same species in the same caste?

See if this helps.

that does help! :) now i know that the pattern can varry slightly in this species. this is the first time i have seen this.