Vespinae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Infraclassis: Neoptera
Cladus: Eumetabola
Cladus: Endopterygota
Superordo: Hymenopterida
Ordo: Hymenoptera
Subordo: Apocrita
Superfamilia: Vespoidea

Familia: Vespidae
Subfamilia: Vespinae
Genera (4 + 1†): Dolichovespula - Provespa - Vespa - Vespula – †Palaeovespa

Name

Vespinae

References

Archer, M.E. 1989: A key to the world species of the Vespinae (Hymenoptera). Part 1. Keys, checklist and distribution. Research monograph of the College of Ripon & York St John, (2) ISBN 0 9511738 1 2 (this volume) ISBN 0 9511738 3 9 (two volume set)
Carpenter, J.M. 1987: Phylogenetic relationships and classification of the Vespinae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Systematic entomology, 12(4): 413–431. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3113.1987.tb00213.x
Carpenter, J.M. et al. 2011: Taxonomic notes on the Vespinae of Yunnan (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). American Museum novitates, (3709) DOI: 10.1206/3709.2

Vernacular names
Boarisch: Echte Wapsen/Waspen
català: Vespí
Deutsch: Echten Wespen
English: Social Wasps
español: Vespinos
eesti: Herilased
suomi: Yhteiskunta-ampiaiset
Nordfriisk: Echt Wespen
日本語: スズメバチ亜科
latviešu: Lapseņu apakšdzimta
Nederlands: Papierwespen
русский: Веспины

The subfamily Vespinae contains the largest and best-known eusocial wasps, including true hornets (the genus Vespa), and the "yellowjackets" (genera Dolichovespula and Vespula). The remaining genus, Provespa, is a small, poorly known group of nocturnal wasps from Southeast Asia. One genus, Palaeovespa, has been described from the Eocene fossil record, from Colorado. Collectively, the group can be found on all continents except Antarctica, and several of these wasps are invasive species, introduced beyond their native ranges, and can be major pests.