Bald-faced hornet

(Dolichovespula maculata)

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Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy

Conservation Status

Photo by Babette Kis

IUCN Red List

not listed

NatureServe

NNR - Unranked

Minnesota

not listed

Description

Black with white markings on the head, the thorax, the last few segments of the abdomen, and first antennal segment. Wings smokey.

The nest is made of a gray-tan wood pulp and is in the shape of an inverted tear drop with an opening near the bottom. It is often found hanging high in a tree, but may be in a bush or other protected place.

Size

Similar Species

Habitat

Forest edges

Ecology

Season

Spring to late fall

Behavior

Life Cycle

Larva Food/Hosts

Pre-chewed insects

Adult Food

Flower nectar, fruit, and possibly other insects

Distribution
		Sources 7, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83. Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 6/4/2025).
6/24/2025

Occurrence
Common

Taxonomy

Order

Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies)

Suborder

Apocrita (Narrow-waisted Wasps, Ants, and Bees)

Infraorder

Aculeata (ants, bees, and stinging wasps)

Superfamily

vespoidea (vespoid wasps)

Family

vespidae (hornets, paper wasps, potter wasps, and allies)

Subfamily

vespinae (hornets and yellowjackets)

Genus

Dolichovespula (aerial yellowjackets)

Subordinate Taxa

Synonyms

vespula maculata

Common Names

bald-faced aerial yellowjacket

bald-faced hornet

baldfaced hornet

What’s in a Name?

Though commonly called a hornet, this is actually a yellowjacket.

Visitor Photos

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Bobbi Johnson

Luciearl

Lisa R.
Was stuck/dead in the oriole jelly feeder.

MinnesotaManda16
was sitting on my pool deck having a smoke @ 10:30pm last night, heard a really loud buzzing, assumed it was a junebug (not a fan of those at all either) and it flew and smacked me on my left lower leg. Freaked out I started stomping on it, killed it and realized it was a bald faced hornet. Confused why it was even out at night honestly.

Alfredo Colon

Babette Kis
Dolichovespula maculata bald-faced hornet I was out today at Barnes Prairie, and got a few pictures of this handsome aerial yellowjacket. Dolichovespula maculata, bald-faced hornet, on rigid goldenrod Oligoneuron rigidum, formerly known as Solidago rigida, Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI October 11, 2022.

Kirk Nelson



		In this photo, a hornet is sitting just inside the entrance

Guinness

I have never seen this hornet around the area before. I have been here 18 years. I found the nest after researching a dead hornet by the door light at night. Have seen them mostly at dark by the door light.

Judy

It is attached to the underside of the gutter on the house - I can watch them work from the upstairs window! I would like to find someone to claim the nest this fall, since it is quite beautiful!

A.E.

First time in my 20+ years here that I’ve seen these.

Sandy A.

Large, beautiful and scary nest found in the corner of our garage door.

Scott Bemman

Chuck Ward

Norm & Peg Dibble

Is this a Bald Faced Hornet? I sure think they are fancy. We get a bunch of them every summer on our large Swamp Milkweed as shown in photo. I haven’t been afraid of them because they always fly away from me and are very concentrated on the blossoms. Should I avoid being near them?		Hornet nest in our large Ash tree last summer

MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos

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Slideshows

Bald Faced Hornet
DianesDigitals

About

Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)
Andree Reno Sanborn

slideshow

Visitor Videos

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Visitor Sightings

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Bobbi Johnson
Fall 2025

Location: Silver Bay, MN

Sarah
7/29/2025

Location: south Minneapolis

nest in maple tree in back yard - called pest control to come remove

Luciearl
10/10/2024

Location: Lake Shore, MN

Steph S
9/17/2024

Location: Burnsville Mn

these are all over my hummingbird feeder. And my neighbors feeder.

Lisa R.
9/4/2024

Location: North Branch, MN

Was stuck/dead in the oriole jelly feeder.

Anonymous
6/19/2024

Location: Minneapolis, Hiawatha Park

on begonias

MinnesotaManda16
6/11/2024

Location: Lonsdale, MN (Rice County)

was sitting on my pool deck having a smoke @ 10:30pm last night, heard a really loud buzzing,assumed it was a junebug (not a fan of those at all either) and it flew and smacked me on my left lower leg. Freaked out I started stomping on it, killed it and realized it was a bald faced hornet. Confused why it was even out at night honestly.

the Hiker
7/31/2023

Location: shoreline nest in waste high weeds Henderson MN.

I encountered this hornet hiking along a rivers shoreline in Henderson MN. This is the most aggressive hornet I've ever encountered.

Cindy
6/16/2023

Location: Little Falls, MN. Under the barn eve.

Big and nasty! Went out of there way to chase and sting me.

Babette Kis
10/11/2022

Location: Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI

I was out today at Barnes Prairie, and got a few pictures of this handsome aerial yellowjacket.

Dolichovespula maculata, bald-faced hornet, on rigid goldenrod Oligoneuron rigidum, formerly known as Solidago rigida, Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI October 11, 2022.

Alfredo Colon
8/11/2022

Location: Albany, NY

Alfredo Colon
8/7/2022

Location: Albany, NY

Deb
7/25/2022

Location: Dassel Mn

Kirk Nelson
12/11/2021

Location: Grey Cloud Dunes SNA

Marcia A Hoffman
8/24/2021

Location: Blaine

lived in Blaine 21 years and first one I’ve ever seen.

vB
7/25/2021

Location: Blackduck MN

They are all around the yard this year. So far we haven't spotted the best or nests

Guinness
9/12/2020

Location: Eureka Township

Judy
8/28/2020

Location: Menomonie, WI

It is attached to the underside of the gutter on the house - I can watch them work from the upstairs window! I would like to find someone to claim the nest this fall, since it is quite beautiful!

A.E.
8/21/2020

Location: Randolph, MN

First time in my 20+ years here that I’ve seen these.

Sandy A.
7/28/2020

Location: LeGrande Township (Alexandria)

Large, beautiful and scary nest found in the corner of our garage door.

Scott Bemman
7/26/2020

Location: Scenic State Park

vB
7/22/2020

Location: Chaska, Minnesota

at Hummingbird feeder

Tollef
7/15/2020

Location: Elizabeth Township, Ottertail County.

have never seen this type before. Small neat under a hose reel.

Becky Johnson
6/23/2020

Location: Shevlin, MN

Have nest on the outside of the house and under the wishing well.

Alfredo Colon
August 2019

Location: Slinger, Wisconsin

Alfredo Colon
8/21/2019

Location: Woodbury, MN

Alfredo Colon
8/15/2019

Location: Woodbury, MN

Kirk Nelson
8/4/2019

Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Carol A Amundson
8/20/2019

Location: Scandia

Never noticed them before here on the Washington/Chisago county line. Many seen daily in calf yard chasin flies. We've had 2 bad stings.

Chuck Ward
8/19/2019

Location: Scandia MN

Norm & Peg Dibble
7/15/2019

Location: Maple Grove, MN

Is this a Bald Faced Hornet? I sure think they are fancy. We get a bunch of them every summer on our large Swamp Milkweed as shown in photo. I haven’t been afraid of them because they always fly away from me and are very concentrated on the blossoms. Should I avoid being near them?

Norm & Peg Dibble
Summer 2018