Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus)

Kimsey, Lynn S. & Carpenter, James M., 2012, The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 28, pp. 37-65 : 43

publication ID

https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.28.3514

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4F645023-D7A5-4C7D-A5A7-AAF9E22185AD

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/2576DF68-F996-2A28-C626-3D174B8634D7

treatment provided by

Journal of Hymenoptera Research by Pensoft

scientific name

Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus)
status

 

Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus) Figs 2, 6, 9 View Figures 2–13 33 View Figures 26–37 52, 57 View Figures 48–53

Vespa maculata Linnaeus 1763:412. Lectotype female; “Pensylvania” (STOCKHOLM).

Vespa maculata americana Christ 1791:239. Type destroyed; "mitternachtlichen Amerika". Nec Vespa americana Fabricius 1775.

Distribution.

The species occurs throughout North America.

Biology.

This is the only Dolichovespula in North America with the anterior part of the metasoma completely black, and the pale markings are always whitish. It builds aerial nests, which are usually found in exposed places such as hanging from tree branches. These wasps usually feed on live prey, particularly spiders and flies.

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Hexapoda

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Vespidae

Genus

Dolichovespula