Workers are brown to blackish brown with yellow markings on the abdomen.
Nests are originated in spring by one or more queens. Cloudy and rainy weather at this time will limit the number of new nests formed, and queens may share a nest. These nests develop quickly and often are large.
Habits. Nests are used one season and queens overwinter. A new nest is often built next to the queen’s original nest, and the result may be a large number of new and used nests in one site. This wasp preys on caterpillars and also feeds on honeydew and
bruised fruits. Queens from nests along house soffits often will overwinter indoors and become active in late fall and spring.