Bald Faced Hornet - Ask Extension
Found this dead bald faced hornet today (5/29/24) on my garage floor. Is this kind of early in the year to be seeing these hornets? Or might this be...
Knowledgebase
Bald Faced Hornet #870681
Asked May 29, 2024, 11:00 PM EDT
Found this dead bald faced hornet today (5/29/24) on my garage floor. Is this kind of early in the year to be seeing these hornets? Or might this be a queen coming out of hibernation? I never thought about placing something next to it for size reference until after I squashed it. However, I did measure the pink maple seed close to it and it was 17mm tip to tip. I’m surrounded by woods so even if I used binoculars it would be hard to find a nest in a tree if it were still on the small size. Kind of hoping this would be a queen and not a worker so there might not be a nest nearby. Also, would you know if these hornets are attracted to yellow LED lights (bug lights)? I know they’re attracted to regular lights. Any help is appreciated, thank you.
St. Clair County Michigan
Expert Response
The queens are the primary life stage active right now. They are working on establishing nests, laying eggs, and feeding the young developing workers.
