Species Vespula acadica - Forest Yellowjacket

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)

The specific name acadica is possibly a reference to the French colonial region of Acadia, including portions of Maritime Canada, Quebec, and Maine.

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)

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)

Primarily boreal and northern forests.(3)

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)

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.

Species page in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region. (2)

Species page in Species-ID.net