Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#125614
Hornet? - Monobia quadridens - male

Hornet? - Monobia quadridens - Male
Great Falls, Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
July 3, 2007
Size: About 2 cm in length
I think this is a type of hornet, but I'm not sure. I didn't get any side views unfortunately. Coloring on the rest of its body is similar to what is shown. (patches of white or off white on black.)

This and others like it were collecting nectar from flowers in my garden.

Monobia quadridens, male (VA)
The lack of a white spot behind the eyes exclude similar species.

Same family...
but one of the many solitary species in the Vespidae (subfamily Eumeninae). There are far more solitary Vespids than eusocial species. Looks like a species of Monobia. I think the most common species around here is M. quadridens, but there are some similar species.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.