Yellowjacket maybe Vespula vulgaris - Vespula alascensis - 6 miles NW Lyons, Boulder County, Colorado, USA September 27, 2003 Size: BL ~ 11.5 mm
Yellowjacket seen in the CO foothills at about 6400' elevation. Based on the key in Akre et al, The Yellowjackets of America North of Mexico, my best guess for this wasp seemed to be Vespula vulgaris based on the variation on Tergum 1, the abdominal pattern and the yellow genal band interrupted with black. However, even if my guess is correct, I cannot find a species page for what is considered a very common wasp. Has its name changed? Any help will be much appreciated. I will post a lateral view that shows the interruption of the yellow genal band.
Images of this individual: tag all Contributed by Lynn Monroe on 28 January, 2016 - 6:19pm |