Species Vespula alascensis - Alaska Yellowjacket

This species used to be kept in synonymy with Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758). However, V. vulgaris is restricted to the Palaearctic region (accidentally introduced to Australia and New Zealand). The confusion was recently rectified by Carpenter & Glare (2010). They showed that Vespula alascensis differs from V. vulgaris by the male genitalia, and some not so reliable colour characters (V. vulgaris often has yellow spots on the propodeum, V. alascensis [almost] never does). Genetically, V. alascensis is more similar to V. flavopilosa than to V. vulgaris.

V. alascensis was described by Packard (1870).

Key to eastern Nearctic Vespula species in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region. (1)

Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region. (1)

Nearctic- Canada, northern and western U.S., central Mexico

Generally ground nesting.

Carpenter, J.M. & Glare T.R. 2010. Misidentification of Vespula alascensis as V. vulgaris in North America (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Vespinae). American Museum Novitates 3690: 7 pp. Available online

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 (as V. vulgaris) (1)

Species page in Species-ID.net