Bald-faced hornet vs German yellowjacket
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a bald-faced hornet from a German yellowjacket, and whether either one bites or stings.
Bald-faced hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
German yellowjacket
Vespula germanica
≠The key differences
Bald-faced hornet is larger and predominantly black with white markings and builds exposed paper nests, unlike the cavity-nesting V. germanica.
⚖︎Side by side
| Bald-faced hornet | German yellowjacket | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Painful sting | Painful sting |
| Size | About 12-20 mm body length (queens largest) | Workers 10-16 mm; queens 18-22 mm |
| Colours | Black, White, Papery gray (nest) | Yellow, Black, Brown (abdomen/shaded areas) |
| Family | Vespidae | Vespidae |
| Habitat | Woodlands, suburban and urban areas; nests in trees, shrubs, under eaves, attached to buildings or in dense vegetation | Nests in cavities (wall voids, roof spaces, rodent burrows, hollow trees) and sometimes underground; forages in gardens, parks, farms, and around human food sources. |
| Range | Widespread across North America, from Alaska and southern Canada through most of the United States | Native to Europe, northern Africa and temperate Asia; introduced and established in North and South America, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand and several islands. |
| Active | Active spring through autumn (colony peak in mid to late summer); workers active during daylight | Active spring to autumn in temperate regions; most visible and abundant in late summer and early autumn, daytime foragers. |
| 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 a German yellowjacket
- Bold alternating yellow and black bands on the abdomen with characteristic black triangular markings on the second abdominal segment.
- Compact, stocky body shape typical of yellowjackets; workers 10-16 mm, queens larger.
- Face often shows a darker 'mask' of black with yellow highlights; compare banding pattern to other local Vespula species for reliable ID.
- Nests commonly found in cavities (walls, attics, rodent burrows) and sometimes shallow underground.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a bald-faced hornet and a German yellowjacket?
Bald-faced hornet is larger and predominantly black with white markings and builds exposed paper nests, unlike the cavity-nesting V. germanica.
Is a bald-faced hornet or a German yellowjacket more dangerous?
Bald-faced hornet: Painful sting. German yellowjacket: Painful sting. Bald-faced hornets can sting repeatedly and deliver a painful sting. Workers can sting repeatedly and deliver painful stings; reactions range from local pain, swelling and redness to severe allergic anaphylaxis in sensitized people.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.