The white-faced hornet, also known as the bald-faced hornet, is a species of social wasp found in North America. Its name comes from the prominent white markings on its black body. In some regions, it is also called the white-tailed hornet or the blackjacket. It is often confused with the yellow jacket, another species of wasp that has similar appearance but lacks the distinct white markings. In Spanish, it is known as avispón cabeza blanca, while in French it is called le frelon à face blanche. No matter what it is called, encountering a white-faced hornet can be a painful experience due to its potent venom and defensive behavior.