Yellowjackets of the World

This book discusses the taxonomy distribution and nesting biology of each species and subspecies of yellowjacket worldwide. Keys to the subgenera and all species worldwide are also provided. These wasps are distributed widely throughout the the Holarctic extending into the Malayan Pennisula in the east and Guatemala and Honduras in the west. Adults are generally of a small size varying in length from 1.5-2.0 cm and are usually colored yellow and black but they may also be black and white and may have brown red or orange markings. Traditionally yellowjackets are divided into two genera Dolichovespula and Vespula but in this book 10 subgenera 60 species and 30 subspecies are recognized. These are as follows: Pseudovespula with 3 species and 6 subspecies. Dolichovespula with 4 species and 1 subspecies. Boreovespula with 12 species and 4 subspecies. Metavespula with 2 species and 1 subspecies. Vespula with 2 species and 3 subspecies. Allovespula with 9 species and 5 subspecies. Lineovespula with 2 species and 1 subspecies. Griseovespula with 2 species. Paravespula with 9 species and 7 subspecies and Rugovespula with 3 species and 3 subspecies.