bald-faced hornet

The bald-faced hornet, also known as the white-faced hornet, is a North American yellow jacket (Dolichovespula maculata). It is characterized by its black body with distinctive white markings on its face, thorax, and abdomen. These social insects are known for constructing large, gray, football-shaped paper nests, typically found above ground in trees and shrubs.1

While not a true hornet, its name comes from its large size and aerial nest-building habits, similar to true hornets. Bald-faced hornets can be aggressive in defending their nests but do not typically seek out trouble. Their stings are painful and venomous, and can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals.21