HORNET'S NEST

Last summer, I noticed this hornet's nest in a maple tree, not more than forty feet from my back door. It was built by Baldfaced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) which are very common in the Midwest, both in towns and rural areas.

Baldfaced hornets are black and white and range in size from 1/2" - 3/4" in length and usually build their nests in exposed areas of trees and shrubs. The nests are constructed of a paper-like material formed from chewed wood and dead leaves and the saliva of the hornets is the bonding agent. The nests can become quite large, as in this case where the length was about 16 inches.

Hornets are fast, bad tempered and can become very aggressive when threatened but if you leave them alone you generally have no problems as they will leave you alone. I managed to coexist with them all summer with no problems.

Note that the insect sitting on the nest is NOT a hornet but a very large horsefly. I have no idea what he was doing there or why the hornets didn't attack and drive him away. Your guess is as good as mine.

Copyright 2008 - John Swift