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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Vespoidea » Vespidae » Hornets and Yellowjackets (Vespinae) » Aerial Yellowjackets (Dolichovespula) » Bald-faced Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula maculata)
Photo#677516
bald-faced hornet nest - Dolichovespula maculata
Copyright © 2012 John & Diane Cockburn

bald-faced hornet nest - Dolichovespula maculata
windsor, ontario, canada, Essex, Ontario, Canada
July 21, 2012
Have never seen one so close to the ground. About face level. About the size of a head. Should we have been nervous getting to close? I got within a foot and put the camera almost an inch away. We moved very slowly. Were we in any jeopardy? What a beautiful nest.

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bald-faced hornet nest - Dolichovespula maculata bald-faced hornet nest - Dolichovespula maculata
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Contributed by John & Diane Cockburn on 21 July, 2012 - 2:08pm
Last updated 22 July, 2012 - 1:24pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Vespula Vulgaris, 22 July, 2012 - 1:24pm login or register to post comments

That does sound like you got pretty close!
Honestly, some nests are more defensive than others, and their defensiveness often depends on past disturbances. I would be cautious getting so close, but as long as you stay out of their flight path they shouldn't take notice
… Vespula Vulgaris, 22 July, 2012 - 1:24pm login or register to post comments

 
thanks
I see what you mean. This nest didn't seem to mind us being so close. It is about 20 feet off of a little used path way in the back of Ojibway Park. I still had that feeling that we were in jeopardy of a mood change at any time. Do these nests get much bigger or is this about the maximum size? How many hornets do you suppose were inside? I am going to read up some more on these hornets, such as how big the queen is, how long the nest survives, such as does it over winter or not, etc.
… John & Diane Cockburn, 22 July, 2012 - 6:36pm login or register to post comments

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