About Bald-faced Hornet
A large black and white social wasp that builds impressive football-sized paper nests in trees and on buildings. Despite its name, it is not a true hornet but a yellowjacket relative.
Did You Know?
Bald-faced hornets can squirt venom from their stinger into the eyes of nest intruders, causing temporary blindness and intense pain.
How to Identify Bald-faced Hornet
Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Vespidae. Adults typically measure 15-20 mm.
Bald-faced Hornet Habitat
Bald-faced Hornet is found in woodlands habitats, particularly across North America. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Bald-faced Hornet Diet and Feeding
Bald-faced Hornet feeds on fruits. Fruit-feeding insects are attracted to ripe and decaying fruit, and some species can be significant agricultural pests.
Where Is Bald-faced Hornet Found?
Bald-faced Hornet can be found in North America, where it inhabits woodlands environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Bald-faced Hornet can be found
Is Bald-faced Hornet Dangerous?
Bald-faced Hornet belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Bald-faced Hornet Role in Nature
Bald-faced Hornet is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About Bald-faced Hornet
What does Bald-faced Hornet look like?
The Bald-faced Hornet typically measures 15-20 mm.
Where is Bald-faced Hornet found?
The Bald-faced Hornet is found in North America and typically inhabits woodlands environments.
What does Bald-faced Hornet eat?
The Bald-faced Hornet feeds on fruits.
Is Bald-faced Hornet dangerous to humans?
The Bald-faced Hornet belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.
What is an interesting fact about Bald-faced Hornet?
Bald-faced hornets can squirt venom from their stinger into the eyes of nest intruders, causing temporary blindness and intense pain.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/bald-faced-hornet
MLA:
"Bald-faced Hornet." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/bald-faced-hornet.