These are quite similar in appearance to the Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria), but can be separated from that species by the complete eye loop.
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Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
With a bee prey item that it was processing on the driveway
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
On front porch. Appeared to be eating an Alaska Yellowjacket just outside the front door in front of the nest entrance.
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Checking out our newspaper tube.
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
In compost
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
In house
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Spent the night in a bee hotel.
Hole size 14 mm
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Queen
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Male
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
5 Oct 2016
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
Taxonomy
Subclass:
Pterygota (Winged and Once-winged Insects)
Suborder:
Apocrita (Narrow-waisted Wasps, Ants, and Bees)
Infraorder:
Aculeata (Ants, Bees, and Stinging Wasps)
Family:
Vespidae (Hornets, Paper Wasps, Potter Wasps, and Allies)
Subfamily:
Vespinae (Hornets and Yellowjackets)
Genus:
Vespula (Ground Yellowjackets)
No lower level information