Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#340575
Black and white bee or wasp - Dolichovespula maculata

Black and white bee or wasp - Dolichovespula maculata
Arlington County, Virginia, USA
September 4, 2009
Size: approx 2 cm
This critter was just outside the front door at night time. It was not moving much at all, but after I got some pictures, it flew up into the light fixture, so I turned off the light so it wouldn't get too hot.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Wasp
This is a female bald-faced "hornet," Dolichovespula maculata. They are not true hornets (which are genus Vespa, but are great fly-killers:-)

looks like a Baldfaced Hornet to me
Dolichovespula maculata