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Identification Atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the northeastern Nearctic region
CJAI 05, February 19, 2008
doi: 10.3752/cjai.2008.05

Matthias Buck, Stephen A. Marshall, and David K.B. Cheung

Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1

 

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93. Vespula maculifrons (du Buysson, 1905) – Eastern Yellowjacket
Figs B1.4, 10; B11.4; B13.14, 16, 21, 28–30, 44–46, 66, 77, 78; C93.1–18.

Vespula maculifrons
Vespula maculifrons
Vespula maculifrons
Vespula maculifrons
Vespula maculifrons

Species recognition. This species is distinguished from other species in the V. vulgaris-group by the broad, anchor-shaped basomedial mark of tergum 1 (width at least 2x length; width of basal attachment ca. one mid ocellar diameter, rarely up to 2x mid ocellar diameter). In melanic specimens the lateral extremes of this mark become fused with the basal band which then encloses a pair of transverse yellow spots (in male the spots sometimes disappear completely). Such specimens are similar to certain species in the V. rufa-group (V. acadica, V. vidua, V. austriaca) from which they can be separated by the characters in couplet 4 of the key. The male of V. maculifrons is unique in having an abruptly declivous tergum 7 and a bevelled apical emargination of sternum 7 with minute median projection.

Variation. Fore wing length 7.0–11.0 mm (workers), 12.0–13.5 mm (♀♀), (9.0–)11.0–13.0 mm (♂♂). Clypeus of queen usually with ventrally expanded black central mark connected to dorsal margin, or with two black spots and a more or less parallel-sided mark connected to dorsal margin, rarely just with three small spots; worker clypeus with one, two or three black discal spots (rarely none), and with parallel-sided mark that is long, short or absent; male clypeus usually unmarked, rarely with 1–2 black spots. Black band between corona and ocular sinus rarely interrupted in worker and male, more often in queen. Black subantennal mark with deep dorsal emarginations, rarely with enclosed yellow spots; in xanthic workers and males the mark sometimes restricted to interantennal prominence. Scape black, in male with yellow anterior mark. Pronotal lobes and upper metapleuron rarely with small yellow spots in worker. Posterior half of scutum rarely with pair of yellow spots in queen. Yellow spots of metanotum often very small in male, rarely absent. Propodeum usually with yellow marks in worker, rarely in queen, never in male. Black basomedial mark of tergum 1 usually anchor-shaped, at least twice as wide as long; width of basal attachment usually ca. one mid ocellar diameter, rarely up to 2x mid ocellar diameter. Melanic specimens with black basal band enclosing a pair of transverse yellow spots, the spots sometimes absent in male. Free discal spots present on terga 2–5 of queen only.

Distribution. Canada: NS to MB (not recorded from PE). Eastern half of U.S. west to MT, WY, CO and NM. Northeastern Mexico south to Hidalgo (Carpenter and Kojima 1997).

Biology. Under natural conditions nests are almost always subterranean (rarely in decaying stumps). However, in urban environments nests are often built in hollow walls, attics and other artificial cavities. Besides preying on arthropods females also scavenge on carrion. This is one of the most common and most pestiferous yellowjackets in the northeast (Akre et al. 1981).

 

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