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Project Noah Nature School
Vespula alascensis
This species used to be kept in synonymy with Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758). However, V. vulgaris is restricted to the Old World (accidentally introduced to Australia and New Zealand). The confusion was recently rectified by Carpenter & Glare (2010). They showed that Vespula alascensis differs from V. vulgaris by the male genitalia, and some not so reliable colour characters (V. vulgaris often has yellow spots on the propodeum, V. alascensis [almost] never does). Genetically, V. alascensis is more similar to V. maculifrons than to V. vulgaris.
Nesting on my house. :L
Awesome spotting!
Liam could you check the Id on this one? Seems to a Snowy, Though I am surprised to see it banded on both legs.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/128...
I appreciate the update on the species name. I have an old reference and did not know. I will investigate your other picture when I get home today. I wondered if you had been to Jackson Lake because we are loaded with German wasps here. Apparently they outcompete the common Yellowjacket due to almost no sightings anymore. Be in touch soon. Thanks for the correction.
Thanks John, I'll add the changes. Would this be a V. vulgaris as well? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/744...
Honestly I didn't either until my dog got stung by a bunch of them. They actually wound up being German Wasps. They look just like a yellow jacket to many people. I discovered a lot of info when I investigated that. I normally never comment to anyone. Some people get very hostile believe it or not. I took an entomology class last semester , and there was some discussion of the German wasps because they are an exotic invasive species. They have 3 dots on their heads, and that is the easiest way to identify. Have you ever been to Jackson Lake before?
Spotted on Jul 11, 2012
Submitted on Jul 18, 2012
