NO. 022
Bees & wasps
Common eastern bumblebee
First abdominal segment is yellow
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NO. 025
Illustration · not shown at life size
Illustration · not shown at life sizeBees & wasps / Insect
Bald-faced hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
A white face stands out on this black wasp. Watch from a distance, especially near its paper nest.
Let’s look closerLittle clues
Three things to notice.
White face on a black body.
Builds hanging paper nests.
Hunts insects for its young.
Out in the world
Where to look.
Around southeastern Wisconsin
Gardens, woods, and suburban trees.
When to look
From the spring start of a nest through the growing season. Keep your distance from nests.
Watch from far away. Give nests plenty of space.
A closer look
One clue is just the start.
Despite its name, this is a kind of yellowjacket wasp. Watch the white markings from a distance and leave nests alone.
A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.
Keep exploring
Meet the neighbors.
For curious grownups, too
Read a little further.
Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.
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Artwork & downloads.
Drag a PNG image into xTool Studio, or use its download button. Images use the full-resolution files.
Relief depth PNG — prototype
Matches this front · dark lettering 0.5 mm, outline 0.1 mm at 1 mm maximum
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Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Disc backs are blank; use the single carrier QR from the print studio to open the field guide.
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