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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps » Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets (Vespoidea) » Yellowjackets, Paper Wasps, and Hornets; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps (Vespidae) » Hornets and Yellowjackets (Vespinae) » Dolichovespula » Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria)
Photo#197060
Dolichovespula arenaria ? - Dolichovespula arenaria
Copyright © 2008 Gary McDonald

Dolichovespula arenaria ? - Dolichovespula arenaria
Aromas, San Benito County, California, USA
July 2, 2008
Size: ~15mm
Seen on Heteromeles arbutifolia in our yard. (live oak/chaparral habitat). I thought I was photographing another Vespula, but after viewing the image and http://bugguide.net/node/view/35661, I think it might be Dolichovespula arenaria.
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Contributed by Gary McDonald on 3 July, 2008 - 2:12pm
Last updated 8 July, 2008 - 8:54am

correct
its a male... probably out so early due to the fact that colonies of these die off early. i did not know that they ranged so far west!

EDIT: now i have some doubt. some V. pensylvanica males can just like that although i am still leaning toward arenaria(partly because it is out so early). do you have a shot of it's face?
… Vespula vulgaris, 3 July, 2008 - 2:24pm login or register to post comments

 
Thank you vespula
Unfortunately, I got only one shot of the guy before he left.
… Gary McDonald, 8 July, 2008 - 8:53am login or register to post comments

 
Dolichovespula arenaria
I believe D. arenaria is correct. The black markings on tergum 1 and the overall body shape don't look like V. pensylvanica.
… Matthias Buck, 8 July, 2008 - 3:30am login or register to post comments

 
Thank you Dr. Buck
I'll move it to the proper page.
… Gary McDonald, 8 July, 2008 - 8:53am login or register to post comments

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