The subfamily Vespinae contains the largest and best-known groups of eusocial wasps, including true hornets (the genus Vespa), and the "yellowjackets" (genera Dolichovespula and Vespula).

[1] The remaining genus, Provespa, is a small, poorly known group of nocturnal wasps from Southeast Asia.

One genus, Palaeovespa, has been described the Paleocene to Eocene fossil records of North America and Europe.

[2] 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.

This Vespidae-related article is a stub.