The Hornets And Yellow Jackets (Vespula) Of Florida

Only 3 of the 16 nearctic species of Vespula are known from Florida (Miller, 1961). These include the white-faced hornet, V. maculata (Linnaeus), and 2 yellow jackets, V. maculifrons (Buysson) and V. squamosa (Drury). In-general, the term hornet is used for Vespula which nest above-ground and the term yellow jacket for those which make subterranean nests. All Vespula are social, living in colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals, these wasps are adept at stinging and are especially aroused if danger threatens the nest, unlike the honeybee, which dies upon inflicting a single sting, vespine wasps may sting as often as they find a target.