Bald-faced hornet, DOLICHOVESPULA maculata

The common vespine wasp the bald-faced hornet needs to be moved from the Vespula section to the Dolichovespula section. Sources which list the species maculata as belonging to the genus Vespula are incorrect. The primary physical difference between the two is that Dolichovespula has a longer malar region, the space between the bottom of the eye and the hinge of the jaw. The difference can be seen in these photographs: Vespula, Dolichovespula

The main difference in behavior (although there are exceptions) is that Dolichovespula wasps make free-hanging globular nests above ground in tree branches or under eaves, while Vespula species nest in the ground or in protected cavities.