Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera

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

Subfamily Vespinae (Yellowjackets and Hornets)

This predominantly Old World group is represented in the Nearctic (and the northeast) by three genera with mainly Holarctic or Palaearctic/Oriental distribution. The genus Vespa was accidentally introduced to the New World.

References. – Carpenter and Kojima, 1997 (catalogue of World species, distribution); Carpenter, 1987 (phylogeny of World genera, subgenera and species groups); Akre et al., 1981 (key to Nearctic genera); Bequaert, 1932 (taxonomy of Nearctic species, key).

11. Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera (Yellowjackets and Hornets)

1.	Posterior ocelli separated from hind margin of vertex by several times ocellar diameter (Fig. 11.1; separated by only ca. 2x ocellar diameter in males). Pronotal carina nearly complete (Fig. 11.1). Tyloids of male flagellum prominent (Fig. 11.5). Large wasps (fore wing length 16–24 mm) with ferruginous markings on head and mesosoma	*Vespa*
	one species: Vespa crabro
-	Posterior ocelli separated from hind margin of vertex by at most one ocellar diameter (Fig. 11.2). Pronotal carina absent or broadly interrupted medially. Tyloids of male flagellum, if present, not prominent and hardly discernible in profile. Smaller wasps (fore wing length 8–18 mm) without ferruginous markings on head and mesosoma	2
2.	Malar space long (ca. 2x mid ocellar diameter, Fig. 11.3). Pronotal carina present, broadly interrupted medially	*Dolichovespula*
-	Malar space short (at most one mid ocellar diameter, Fig. 11.4). Pronotal carina absent	*Vespula*