Dolichovespula
Dolichovespula is a small genus of social wasps distributed widely throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The yellow and black members of the genus are known by the common name yellowjackets in North America, such as Dolichovespula norwegica, along with members of their sister genus Vespula. In a study on the nesting biology of Dolichovespula, a colony of D. maculata with 771 workers was reported as having the largest recorded population count.
Overview
Several morphological differences distinguish them from Vespula. The most noticeable is the long face. Viewed from the front, Dolichovespula faces are long, while Vespula faces are short and round. The oculomalar space, the distance between the eye and the mandible, is long in Dolichovespula and short in Vespula. Dolichovespula nests are usually aerial, while Vespula spp. often nest underground.
Reproduction
All females are born with reproductive capacities. Dolichovespula is different from its sister group Vespula in that some of the workers create haploid offspring that develop into males.
Species and subspecies
These species/subspecies are recognised:Dolichovespula adulterina – parasitic yellowjacketDolichovespula adulterina montivaga Sk. Yamane, 1982 – parasitic yellowjacket Dolichovespula alpicola Eck 1984 – Rocky Mountain aerial yellowjacketDolichovespula arctica Rohwer 1916 – parasitic yellowjacket Dolichovespula arenaria – aerial yellowjacketDolichovespula asiatica Archer, 1981Dolichovespula baileyi Archer, 1987Dolichovespula carolina Dolichovespula flora Archer, 1987Dolichovespula kuami Kim, 1996Dolichovespula lama Dolichovespula maculata – bald-faced hornetDolichovespula media – median waspDolichovespula norvegicoides – Arctic yellowjacketDolichovespula norwegica – Norwegian waspDolichovespula omissa – parasitic yellowjacketDolichovespula pacifica Dolichovespula panda Archer, 1980Dolichovespula saxonica – Saxon waspDolichovespula stigma Lee 1986Dolichovespula sylvestris – tree waspDolichovespula sylvestris sumptuosa Dolichovespula xanthicincta Archer, 1980