Blad-faced Hornets are related to yellow jackets but are not "true" hornets themselves. This species features a rather stout body and are colored in white (or very light yellow) and black from head, thorax and abdomen. The abdomen is finished off by a band of white. Males differ somewhat in having a white band on the first abdominal segment. Workers measure between 12 and 15mm while the queen is substantially larger at 18 to 20mm.
Bald-faced Hornets are considered a beneficial species as they prey on flies and other yellowjackets. Adults are also known to feed on nectar and tree sap. Their habitat ranges from parks garden to forests and meadows.
Bald-Faced Hornets are extremely aggressive if they, or their nest, is disturbed and they WILL STING REPEATEDLY. Hives are a gray shapely paper-like mass with an opening at the bottom. These football-shaped nests are above ground, usually attached to lower branches of a tree or shrub. Active nests contain anywhere from 100-400 hornets.