Common wasp vs Bald-faced hornet
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a common wasp from a bald-faced hornet, and whether either one bites or stings.
Common wasp
Vespula vulgaris
Bald-faced hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
≠The key differences
Yellowjackets are smaller and have yellow-and-black banding rather than the bold white face and patches of D. maculata; their nests are commonly underground or in wall cavities.
⚖︎Side by side
| Common wasp | Bald-faced hornet | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Painful sting | Painful sting |
| Size | Workers 10-16 mm; queens up to 20 mm | About 12-20 mm body length (queens largest) |
| Colours | Yellow, Black, Brown (eyes/legs) | Black, White, Papery gray (nest) |
| Family | Vespidae | Vespidae |
| Habitat | Woodland edges, gardens, parks, urban areas; nests in cavities, attics, wall voids, under sheds, compost heaps or underground | Woodlands, suburban and urban areas; nests in trees, shrubs, under eaves, attached to buildings or in dense vegetation |
| Range | Native across much of Europe and temperate Asia; introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and other regions | Widespread across North America, from Alaska and southern Canada through most of the United States |
| Active | Spring to autumn; most active in summer and late summer afternoons | Active spring through autumn (colony peak in mid to late summer); workers active during daylight |
| Pest? | Yes | Yes |
🔍How to spot a common wasp
- Yellow and black banded abdomen with compact, stocky body and elbowed antennae
- Size: workers about 10-16 mm; queens noticeably larger
- Facial and abdominal pattern differences from similar species (see similar species)
🔍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
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a common wasp and a bald-faced hornet?
Yellowjackets are smaller and have yellow-and-black banding rather than the bold white face and patches of D. maculata; their nests are commonly underground or in wall cavities.
Is a common wasp or a bald-faced hornet more dangerous?
Common wasp: Painful sting. Bald-faced hornet: Painful sting. Workers can deliver painful stings repeatedly; stings cause local pain, swelling and redness. Bald-faced hornets can sting repeatedly and deliver a painful sting.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.