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Photo#34038
Long Yellow Jacket ? - Vespula maculifrons - male

Long Yellow Jacket ? - Vespula maculifrons - Male
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA
October 5, 2005
Size: 3/4 to 1 inch

Identity of the wasp in photo
This might be a rather melanistic Vespula flavopilosa. It is a bit difficult to be certain because one cannot easily determine the profile of T-7 (which, if notched, would make it V. maculifrons) or the complete pattern on T-1 (not to mention the facial coloration!). However, my "gestalt" impression due to the fairly well-developed bands on the gaster (as compared to those on V. maculifrons) and the thoracic markings is that it is flavopilosa. In any case, it is definitely a member of the V. vulgaris group (and one of the 3 "brown-nesting" species!).

A male
yellowjacket, Vespula vidua

 
removed from vidua
and placed in maculifrons based on other comments

 
Thanks-It sure looks like tha
Thanks-It sure looks like that one-going by it's size and the others that were around.

Jo

I doubt it.
Only think I can think of is a Tiphiid Wasp, but I don't think that's right either.

 
I too have some doubts... but for a different reason.
Because, while this male is really a Yellowjacket, it is a member of the vulgaris group, as clearly indicated but the broad, slightly concave last (7th) uroterigte. Moreover, the color pattern of the first urotergite doesn't match with Vespula vidua - either male, worker or queen: the front yellow stripes would be much more visible.
My guess is that this individual male is an Eastern Yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons, but the picture is a bit too small to be absolutely conclusive.

 
took some bigger photos
I took some bigger photos and I have one chilling in the frig to get even better photos of.

I'll post them asap-I have to wait 24 for it to be chilled enough.

Jo

 
I'll like at thos too-just to
I'll like at thos too-just to be sure- you may have helped me find another one I found be pointing me there. ^_^ YAY!!!

thanks

Jo

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