Bald-faced Hornets are a species of white-and-black yellowjackets, a common name for several wasps in the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Distinguishing characteristics of Bald-faced Hornets include the white and black face and white markings on only the last few abdominal segments (slide 3).

All vespid wasps hold their wings folded longitudinally at rest. Some syrphid flies mimic this wing folding with colored patches on the front half of their wings.

This species builds large paper nests of chewed wood pulp: Bald-faced Hornet Nest