The bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) is more of a yellow jacket (wearing a black jacket) than a true hornet. It makes big old paper nests in trees, and if not downright feared it is at least highly respected by any who have had run-ins with this critter.
Unlike honey bees, these animals can sting multiple times and will readily do so if you disturb the nest.
So here is a close-up of the face. Note that it is not bald in the face, having some whiskers, but white. Same as the bald eagle which is not bald, but has white feathers on the head. However, to get real esoteric with the word etymology, "bald" in the case of the eagle comes from "balde" which in earlier days meant "white."
Unlike honey bees, these animals can sting multiple times and will readily do so if you disturb the nest.
So here is a close-up of the face. Note that it is not bald in the face, having some whiskers, but white. Same as the bald eagle which is not bald, but has white feathers on the head. However, to get real esoteric with the word etymology, "bald" in the case of the eagle comes from "balde" which in earlier days meant "white."
Bald-faced hornet close-up from Falls Church, VA. The face and mandibles are white, not lime green, which is an artifact of it sitting in a world of green leaves on a very sunny day
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