Learn the types of WASPS & HORNETS you can find in the United States, and how to identify them. How many of these species have YOU seen?

Wasps native to North America in the genus Dolichovespula are commonly referred to as hornets (e.g., baldfaced hornets), but all of them are actually yellowjackets. Like other social wasps, hornets build communal nests by chewing wood to make a papery pulp.

Yellowjacket or yellow jacket is the common name in North America for predatory social wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as " wasps " in other English-speaking countries.

Wasps can have people running around their yard out of fear. They are one of the biggest nuisances that come with summer for some people. To help you identify which type of wasp is bothering you, I have rounded up 25 common wasps and hornets. Keep in mind that not all of these are common in the US.

Oct 2, 2024 · True hornets are a particular subcategory that includes 22 species of eusocial wasps. The only true hornet that lives in the U.S. is the European hornet. Some hornet species can reach up to 2 inches long, making them twice the size of a large wasp.

Jan 24, 2023 · Hornets are a type of wasp that differ in size and color. Typically, hornets are giant wasps that can measure 1.6” (3.8 cm) in length, compared to a typical wasp that is 0.4” (1 cm) long or smaller. Additionally, hornets tend to have black bodies and white rings, whereas wasps are generally yellow and black.

Wasps vary in appearance based on species but do share some common characteristics. Only one species of hornet, the European Hornet, lives in North America, while many species of wasps do. Use this guide to determine if you have wasps, hornets, or …

Jun 20, 2022 · Hornets belong to the insect genus Vespa and family Vespidae and are related to wasps. Hornets have an identifiable large head with a wide top margin. In addition, there is a noticeable large gap between the thorax where the two …

Jun 9, 2023 · For the record, wasps and hornets are not the same thing. “A hornet is actually a type of wasp,” Troyano says. “The main difference between hornets and wasps such as paper wasps and...

Jan 9, 2025 · hornet, (genus Vespa), genus of about 20 species of the wasps (order Hymenoptera), most of which are native to Eurasia. Hornets are large social insects that tend to be black or brown with yellow or yellowish markings.