Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Vespa rufa var. americana du Buysson, 1905 (this name, despite being the oldest, is invalid because of homonymy)
Vespa acadica Sladen, 1918.
Vespula rufa var.
sladeni Bequeart, 1932.
(1) Explanation of Names
The specific name acadica is possibly a reference to the French colonial region of Acadia, including portions of Maritime Canada, Quebec, and Maine.
Identification
Key to eastern Nearctic Vespula species in the
Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region.
(2)
Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera in the
Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region.
(2)
Queen (♀♀) Worker (♀) Male (♂)
Range
Widespread in forests of Canadian zone (and edges of Hudsonian and Transition zones) from Alaska south to Sierras of California and in Rockies south to Arizona and New Mexico. Ranges east across boreal forest to Newfoundland and New England, extending south at higher elevations of Appalachians to North Carolina.
(1),
(3)Habitat
Primarily boreal and northern forests.
(3)Food
Adults feed on nectar and other fluids. Larvae are fed masticated arthropods by adults. This species is a member of the
Vespula rufa species group, and is strictly predatory.
(3)Print References
Kimsey, L.S. & Carpenter, J.M. (2012): The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera).
Journal of Hymenoptera Research 28: 37–65;
doi: 10.3897/JHR.28.3514.