Vespula acadica (Sladen)

Kimsey, Lynn S. & Carpenter, James M., 2012, The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 28, pp. 37-65 : 45

Vespula acadica (Sladen) Figs 14 35 59 72

Vespa rufa var. americana du Buysson 1905:592. Holotype male; Canada: Quebec (repository unknown). Nec Vespa americana Fabricius 1775, and Vespa maculata americana Christ 1791.

Vespa acadica Sladen 1918:72. Lectotype female; Canada: Ottawa (OTTAWA).

Vespula rufa var. sladeni Bequaert 1932:102. Holotype female; Washington State (CAMBRIDGE).

Distribution.

This is primarily a boreal species, occurring across subArctic Canada and southern Alaska. Its range extends further south in the Rocky, Sierra, Cascade, Siskiyou and Appalachian mountains.

Biology.

Vespula acadica feeds on live insects and builds small subterranean nests.

Figures

Figures 2 - 13. 11 - 12 Front view of face 5 - 7 Dorsal view of head 8 - 10 Lateral view of head 11 Dorsal view of thorax 12, 13 Lateral view of male metasomal tergum VII.

Figures 26 - 37. Dorsal view of worker metasoma.

Figures 59 - 71. Lateral view of genital capsule in Vespula (Vpl). Abbreviations: ae = aedeagus p = paramere.

Figures 72 - 84. Ventral view of genital capsule in Vespula (Vpl). Abbreviations: A. = dorsal view of paramere ae = aedeagus p = paramere v = volsella Vpl. = Vespula.