Insects and Spiders - native

Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) on Sep 23, 2024

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

I believe this is an Asian Giant Hornet. It is extremely large 1 1/2- 2 inches. Very large stinger. Dark stinger with stripes and orange/yellow head. Long wings. I wasn’t able to get great pictures but when I looked it up it looks like the Asian Giant Hornet. I have pets and a child allergic to be stings. Nervous they have made a nest in my yard.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! Your pictures are good enough to see that this is NOT Northern Giant Hornet (which is even bigger!), but our native Bald-faced Hornet, Dolichovespula maculata. These wasps don't attack beehives like NGH and other true hornets do. Our native "hornets" are closely related to yellow-jackets. They make large paper nests up in the branches of trees. If you have a nest, it will be noticeable (and they can be aggressive if the nest is disturbed, so take care -- a professional with protective clothing may need to remove it).

Tom Valente
Sept. 24, 2024, 8:09 a.m.

Resources

Bald-faced Hornet information on iNaturalist

Location

My front porch under the eve by my front door and a few days later (today) in my side yard on top of a leaf of my wisteria. Wormwood St SE. Salem, Oregon 97306

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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