10/23/2025
As autumn settles over Virginia, the bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) lives her quiet finale. The summer colony fades, and a few new queens remain — larger, solitary, and slow — seeking shelter to endure the winter chill. Beneath bark or leaves, she’ll rest unseen until spring’s warmth calls her back to life.
Hunters, builders, and caretakers — these wasps keep nature in balance, controlling pests and sustaining the rhythm of the wild.
Misunderstood, yet vital — a symbol of endurance, harmony, and strength woven through every season. 🖤🤍
