Bald Faced Hornet

The bald faced hornet (Latin name, Dolichovespula maculata) is a large predatory flying insect. Its body is usually black in color, and its face is white which is where it is thought the name derives. They are more closely related to the yellow jacket wasp than the hornet. Their agressive nature makes them useful in the control of other species such as flies and caterpillars. In attack they sting repeatedly and project venom from the stinger. Width of image 5 centimetres