Bald-faced hornet vs Aerial yellowjacket
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a bald-faced hornet from an aerial yellowjacket, and whether either one bites or stings.
Bald-faced hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
Aerial yellowjacket
Dolichovespula arenaria
≠The key differences
Bald-faced hornets are larger, mostly black with extensive white markings on the face and abdomen, and build larger aerial paper nests often high in trees.
⚖︎Side by side
| Bald-faced hornet | Aerial yellowjacket | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Painful sting | Painful sting |
| Size | About 12-20 mm body length (queens largest) | Workers 12-16 mm; queens 18-20 mm |
| Colours | Black, White, Papery gray (nest) | Yellow, Black, Gray (nest paper) |
| Family | Vespidae | Vespidae |
| Habitat | Woodlands, suburban and urban areas; nests in trees, shrubs, under eaves, attached to buildings or in dense vegetation | Woodlands, suburban and urban areas; nests built above ground in trees, shrubs, attics, under eaves, or hanging from structures |
| Range | Widespread across North America, from Alaska and southern Canada through most of the United States | Widespread across North America, including most of Canada and the continental United States |
| Active | Active spring through autumn (colony peak in mid to late summer); workers active during daylight | Late spring through early fall; most active during warm daylight hours |
| Pest? | Yes | Yes |
🔍How to spot a bald-faced hornet
- Distinctive white face and white abdominal markings on a mostly black wasp
- Robust body 12-20 mm long; larger than many common paper wasps
- Large gray papery, enclosed round or football-shaped nests often hanging from branches, eaves or shrubs
🔍How to spot an aerial yellowjacket
- Black and yellow pattern with an elongated abdomen compared with some shorter-bodied yellowjackets
- Workers 12-16 mm; queens larger and more robust (18-20 mm)
- Paper, spherical or ovoid nests attached above ground (trees, shrubs, eaves) often with a single hanging entrance
- Behavior: foraging in daylight on flowers, tree sap, and human foods; defensive near nests
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a bald-faced hornet and an aerial yellowjacket?
Bald-faced hornets are larger, mostly black with extensive white markings on the face and abdomen, and build larger aerial paper nests often high in trees.
Is a bald-faced hornet or an aerial yellowjacket more dangerous?
Bald-faced hornet: Painful sting. Aerial yellowjacket: Painful sting. Bald-faced hornets can sting repeatedly and deliver a painful sting. Workers can sting repeatedly and will defend nests aggressively.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.