Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Vespidae

Bald-faced Hornets are typically larger than its cousin the Yellowjacket. This hornet's common name is derived mostly because of its appearance. A Bald-faced Hornet has a mostly white face with large black body. They are found throughout the United States.

Description: Bald-faced hornets are approximately 5/8" to 3/4" long. Queens are typically larger. Although mostly black in color, the bald-faced hornet has a white pattern on most of the face with two white stripes on the thorax, and white markings on the last three segments of the abdomen.

Biology: An over-wintering queen selects a nest site in the spring. She begins to build a nest from chewed up cellulose material and lays one egg in each cell as it is constructed. The nest can reach up to 3,500 cells.

Habits: Bald-faced hornets build aerial nests in trees, on utility poles or on the side of structures which are often quite visible. The nest size can reach up to 14 inches in diameter and over two feet in length. Bald-faced hornets are very territorial and can be aggressive, stinging their victim multiple times. The potent sting is painful and caution should be taken around these insects.