Bald-faced Hornet - worker

Description:

Bald-faced hornets are tree nesting wasps. Workers build new layers of cells onto the nest (by chewing up strips of wood and mixing it with saliva), collect food, feed larvae, and protect the nest, while the queen's only duty is to lay more eggs once her colony has been established. Larvae are fed malaxated insects hunted by the workers. Adults feed on nectar & sap.

Habitat:

Throughout North America. Meadows, forest edges, gardens, and parks.

Notes:

I have often observed queens in the spring emerging from overwintering and collecting wood off the garden fence for their nest (http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/774...). This is the first year I have observed workers foraging & hunting in the garden, yet I still have not located the nest.