Insecta
Vespula pensylvanica
Common Name:
The Western yellowjacket.
Identification:
V. pensylvanica is yellow and black. This is the only species which has a complete yellow eye ring around each compound eye. The queens also have this eye ring.

Vespula sulphurea
Identification:
V. sulphurea is yellow and black. This is the only species in the genus Vespula, in our area, that has two longitudinal yellow stripes on the back of its thorax.

Vespula vulgaris
Common Name:
The common yellowjacket.
Identification:
V. vulgaris is black and yellow. The antennal scape is all black, as opposed to black with yellow. The genal area is usually broken by black (although sometimes narrowly). The gastral terga are usually without free black spots.
Vespa crabro
Common Name - The European hornet
Identification:
Vespa crabro, at 20mm long, is the largest vespine in North America. It is the only vespine in the new world that is brown with yellow markings. The vertex of the Vespa crabro is much larger than wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula.
Vespula germanica
Common Name:
The German yellowjacket.
Identification:
V. germanica is yellow and black. The antennal scape is all black, as opposed to black with yellow. The genal area is nearly continuous yellow. At least the second gastral tergum is usually with free black spots; in some melanic morphs, there are no free black spots.




