Bald-faced Hornet

The bald-faced hornet, *Dolichovespula maculata*, is a vespine wasp, a true hornet despite its 'yellowjacket' affiliation; it is distinguishable by its large size (queens 18-20 mm, workers 15-18 mm) and characteristic black integument with extensive ivory-white markings on the face, thorax, and abdominal segments. The lifecycle is annual, initiated by an overwintered queen in spring, who lays eggs that develop through larval and pupal stages within approximately 2-3 weeks in optimal temperatures (25-30°C). Colonies can rapidly expand to house 100 to over 700 workers by late summer, with a single queen capable of producing thousands of offspring over her lifespan. Reproductive males (drones) and new queens are produced toward the end of the season, representing the only individuals that survive the onset of colder weather.

Bald-faced hornets exhibit complex social behaviour within their annual colony structure, with specialized roles for the queen, workers, and later, reproductives. Workers communicate foraging success and nest defense needs through chemical cues and aggressive posturing; their highly territorial nature leads to mass attacks on perceived threats within a 3-5 meter radius of the nest. They are voracious predators, actively hunting a wide range of soft-bodied insects, including flies, caterpillars, and other pest insects, thereby exhibiting a beneficial role in natural pest control. Their defensive sting can be repeatedly delivered due to a smooth stinger, and they are also known to forcibly eject venom, which can cause significant eye irritation if contact is made.