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Vespula consobrina Saussure
BLACKJACKET
Vespa scelesta; Mcfarland; Vespa sulcata; Howard

Life   Insecta   Hymenoptera   Vespoidea   Vespidae   Vespula

Vespula consobrina, face
© altered from Miller 1961by Grace Chen · 1
Vespula consobrina, face

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Vespula consobrina, queen abdomen
© altered from Miller 1961by Grace Chen · 1
Vespula consobrina, queen abdomen
Vespula consobrina, male abdomen
© altered from Miller 1961by Grace Chen · 1
Vespula consobrina, male abdomen

Vespula consobrina, worker abdomen
© altered from Miller 1961by Grace Chen · 1
Vespula consobrina, worker abdomen
Vespula consobrina, distribution
© from Akre 1981 · 1
Vespula consobrina, distribution

Vespula consobrina, distribution
© Miller 1961 · 1
Vespula consobrina, distribution
Overview
Akre, R.D., A. Greene, J.F. MacDonald, P.J. Landholt, and H.G. Davis. (1981). Yellowjackets of North America, North of Mexico. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Handbook #552.


Vespula consobrina (blackjacket) is a black and white yellowjacket found in forested areas throughout the Canadian and Transition Zones of the Boreal Region of North America (fig. 47). Nests are typically in subterranean rodent burrows but may be aboveground in logs or rock cavities (MacDonald and Matthews, 1976) or in the walls of houses (Gaul, 1948). Five of nine nests located in Washington during 1974-77 were in rodent burrows, the remaining four were in the walls of buildings. The colony cycle is short like that of other V. rufa group species, with colonies declining and producing reproductives by mid-September in Pullman and by September 1 in North Carolina (MacDonald and Matthews, 1976). V. consobrina colonies are small; the average size of four mature nests collected in Pullman in 1974 was only 555 cells, ranging from 490 to 690 cells (fig. 48). MacDonald and Matthews (1976) reported on two North Carolina colonies with 1,437 and 731 cells with less than 100 workers per colony. Other reports also indicate the small size of V. consobrina colonies (Dow, 1930; Gaul, 19.48; Taylor, 1939). Nests consisted of one worker- producing comb and from one to three reproductive-producing combs. The little information available indicates a lesser incidence of nest associates with V. consobrina colonies than with V. atropilosa; however, one colony collected in Pullman in 1974 contained 33 adult phorid flies (Triphleba lugubris); 28 were gravid females. Both North Carolina colonies harbored eggs and larvae of Dendrophaonia querceti and Fannia spp. (Diptera: Muscidae). V. consobrina colony development and social behavior are not well known, but studies indicate they are similar in most respects to that reported for V. atropilosa by Akre et al. (1976). Foraging is for live prey only, with spiders and phalangids readily accepted. Other arthropods utilized as prey are similar to those attacked by V. atropilosa. Regarding interspecific interactions, one instance of colony “drift” was recorded when several V. consobrina workers joined a V. atropilosa colony where they oviposited as evidenced by the production of numerous V consobrina males later in the season (Akre et al., 1976). V consobrina workers appear aggressive in interactions with other Vespula spp. workers. For example, a single worker successfully fended off many V. pens ylvanica workers at a dish of honey and usually chased them away. As with other Vespula spp., aggressiveness varies considerably relative to colony size and history. Some are distinctly more easily aroused to sting than others although Gaul (1948) regarded V. consobrina as not aggressive. Because of its infrequent contacts with man, this species poses little problem for humans in most areas of North America; however, in forested areas of western North Carolina, the blackjacket is responsible for numerous stinging episodes among loggers.




Reprinted with permission from: Miller, C.D.F. 1961 Taxonomy and Distribution of Nearctic Vespula. The Canadian Entomologist Supplement 22.


Diagnostic Characters
Color.—Black with white markings. Structure.—Malar space less than half as long as the penultimate antennal segment (Fig. 1); occipital carina incomplete (Fig. 4); abdominal tergites extensively covered with long erect hairs; digitus of male genitalia nearly half as long as the distal, saddleshaped portion of the aedeagus (Fig. 15). Abdominal Color Patterns.—as in Figs. 41, 44, 47. Facial Color Pattern.—as in Fig. 74.

This Nearctic species is widely distributed throughout the Canadian and Transition zones of the Boreal region of North America.

Discussion
Miller (1958) demonstrated why this species deserves species recognition. It is easily identified over its entire range which is partially or wholly sympatric with other closely related species such as V. atropilosa, V. vidua, V. acadica and V. intermedia. There are no intergrades between it and any of these species. There is no available proof that they do not interbreed but if they do, there is no perceptible evidence to prove it. The writer recognizes this entity as a good species.


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Following served from Vespula consobrina, Tom Murray, http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74
   
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Following served from Vespula consobrina, Tom Murray, http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74
   
Top | See original context

Updated: 2024-03-29 15:02:41 gmt
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