About Dolichovespula arenaria (Fabricius, 1775)
Dolichovespula arenaria, commonly known as the common aerial yellowjacket, can be identified by the medially interrupted or incised apical fasciae on its first and second terga. It is yellow in color, and can be distinguished from other yellow wasps in its genus, such as Dolichovespula adulterina, by the absence of black markings in the ocular sinus. For most individuals, the ocular sinus is yellow, though some melanic males have a black area that reaches the lower margin of the sinus. Queens have large black discal spots on terga 4 and 5, with smaller spots on terga 2 and 3. Males can be identified by their larger antennae, spots on the basal band of terga 4 and 5, and an abdomen that ends in a flat "fuzzy butt" rather than a pointed stinger. Nests of this species contain between 1 and 6 combs, and are constructed from dull grey paper. Occasional color variations do occur, caused by differences in available nest-building materials. The common aerial yellowjacket lives across Canada and the United States, with a range extending from north-central Alaska as far south as New Mexico and Arizona. It is one of the most common aerial yellowjackets found in eastern North America, and its nests can be found in habitats ranging from arboreal to subterranean. Nests are built from paper-like material and are most often located in trees and shrubs. In urban areas, nests are frequently found on buildings.
