Bald-faced Hornet

Dolichovespula maculata

The Bald-faced Hornet is a black and white insect that builds big nests in trees. They are not true hornets but are actually wasps and can be very protective of their home!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Bald-faced Hornet is a striking black and white social wasp, distinguished by its mostly black body with a white or ivory-colored face and three characteristic white stripes at the end of its abdomen. Unlike many yellowjackets, it has a smoother, less hairy appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyVespidaeGenusDolichovespula

Bald-faced Hornet

Interesting facts

A single Bald-faced Hornet colony can eat thousands of harmful garden pests in one summer!

Their large, grey paper nests are often high in trees, sometimes bigger than a basketball!

These hornets are actually a type of yellowjacket, just with different colors!

They get their 'paper' for nests by chewing tiny bits of wood and mixing it with their saliva.

Special abilities

Bald-faced Hornets can build large, elaborate paper nests from chewed wood fibers because this material provides strong, lightweight shelter for their colony.

Bald-faced Hornets have a potent sting and venom because it helps them defend their nest fiercely and subdue prey.

Bald-faced Hornets can actively hunt and capture various insects because this provides essential protein for their developing larvae.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 25-40 mm
Size: 12-20 mm
Lifespan: 12-365 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6
Colony Size: 400-1000

Diet & Feeding

They hunt insects for their young and sip nectar or sap for their own energy.

Age differences: Larvae eat insects and spiders brought by adults; adult hornets consume nectar, sap, and fruit juice.

Primary Foods

flies
caterpillars
spiders
nectar
tree sap
fruit juice

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

House Fly

Musca domestica

Captures for larval food.

hunts

Eastern Tent Caterpillar

Malacosoma americanum

Feeds larvae on caterpillars.

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Kingbirds catch flying wasps.

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Jays may raid nests.

Traits

Spotted

Discover animals and plants adorned with beautiful dots and splotches, making them unique and easy to spot!

Striped

Look for animals and plants with cool lines and bands, creating eye-catching patterns!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.