Western Yellowjacket - Vespula pensylvanica

Moved

… Tim Loh, 28 November, 2009 - 2:02am

Yes, V. pensylvanica

Long antennae indicate that this is a male specimen

This is an example of the only acceptation to the "complete yellow ring around each eye" rule. Males sometimes lack it, like the one in your photo

… Vespula Vulgaris, 12 November, 2009 - 5:57am

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I think this may in fact be a Common Aerial Yellowjacket. Check, in the 2nd photo, the distance between the eye and the mandible.

… Sean McCann, 12 November, 2009 - 10:00am

My mistake

This one slipped past me. I saw the the pattern on the T1 and instantly thought pensylvanica. I apologise for not looking closer and slipping up

… Vespula Vulgaris, 12 November, 2009 - 12:33pm

But you did no mistake at all

this is indeed a - very dark, true - Western Yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica) male.
First, there is no pronotal carina, hence the yellow fork of the humeral stripe, typical of D. arenaria, is missing as well.
Second, the diamond shaped central black spot on urotergite I is the unmistakable hallmark of V. pensylvanica.
And third - as correctly stated below - D. arenaria colonies aren't active any more that late in the season, contrary to members of the Vespula vulgaris group. Males aerial are virtually all dead by early october.
Oculo-malar space is not a very reliable feature among males. Nonetheless, a Dolichovespula male would have a distinctly longer one.

… Richard Vernier, 16 November, 2009 - 4:03pm

A question of seaseons

From readings it would seem that this would be an extremely late record for the Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria). From several sources the latest on record is September whereas this individual (and some others) were seen Nov 9. So the question being do Dolichovespula arenaria males show up later in the year?

… Scott Thomson, 13 November, 2009 - 12:06am

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In general both queens and males show up later in the season. It is a late sighting.

… Sean McCann, 13 November, 2009 - 7:09am