How to Identify Vespidae

Vespidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Hymenoptera, class Insecta. The family contains 122 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Vespidae Species

How to identify Agelaia pallipes (Olivier, 1791)

Agelaia pallipes (Olivier, 1791)

Agelaia pallipes (Olivier, 1791)

Agelaia pallipes is a dimorphic South American high-altitude wasp with clear que…

How to identify Vespa mandarinia Smith, 1852

Vespa mandarinia Smith, 1852

Vespa mandarinia Smith, 1852

Vespa mandarinia is a large hornet that acts as a pollinator, lives mainly in fo…

How to identify Eumenes crucifera Prov., 1888

Eumenes crucifera Prov., 1888

Eumenes crucifera Prov., 1888

Eumenes crucifera, the cross potter wasp, is a variable North American potter wa…

How to identify Dolichovespula sylvestris (Scopoli, 1763)

Dolichovespula sylvestris (Scopoli, 1763)

Dolichovespula sylvestris (Scopoli, 1763)

Dolichovespula sylvestris, the tree wasp, is a medium-sized social wasp found ac…

How to identify Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vespula vulgaris, the common wasp, is an adaptable Palearctic wasp that is invas…

How to identify Vespa affinis (Linnaeus, 1764)

Vespa affinis (Linnaeus, 1764)

Vespa affinis (Linnaeus, 1764)

Vespa affinis, the lesser banded hornet, is a small-to-medium Asian hornet with …

How to identify Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus, 1763)

Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus, 1763)

Dolichovespula maculata (Linnaeus, 1763)

Dolichovespula maculata, the bald-faced hornet, is a black-and-white North Ameri…

How to identify Vespula vidua (de Saussure, 1854)

Vespula vidua (de Saussure, 1854)

Vespula vidua (de Saussure, 1854)

Vespula vidua, commonly called long or widow yellowjacket, is a stinging wasp sp…

How to identify Eumenes fraternus Say, 1824

Eumenes fraternus Say, 1824

Eumenes fraternus Say, 1824

Eumenes fraternus is a potter wasp found in eastern North America, distinguishab…

How to identify Synoeca surinama (Linnaeus, 1767)

Synoeca surinama (Linnaeus, 1767)

Synoeca surinama (Linnaeus, 1767)

Synoeca surinama is a common bluish-black metallic social wasp found in tropical…

How to identify Apoica flavissima Vecht, 1972

Apoica flavissima Vecht, 1972

Apoica flavissima Vecht, 1972

Apoica flavissima is a Neotropical nocturnal wasp with queens smaller than worke…

How to identify Parachartergus apicalis (Fabricius, 1804)

Parachartergus apicalis (Fabricius, 1804)

Parachartergus apicalis (Fabricius, 1804)

Parachartergus apicalis is a Neotropical polistine wasp first described by Fabri…

Browse all 122 Vespidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Vespidae?

Vespidae animals belong to the Hymenoptera order in the Animalia kingdom. Its large eyes are C-shaped, with a distinct deep cut along their edge. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Vespidae?

Vespidae is classified in the order Hymenoptera, class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda. Key identifying features of this species include a solid yellow face with a single small central black dot on the clypeus, a thorax covered in long lateral hairs, and two posterior yellow spots.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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