# Aerial Yellowjackets (*Dolichovespula*) Aerial Yellowjackets are small, yellow and black insects that can be found buzzing around in the summer. They build their nests high up in trees or under eaves, and they are known for their fast flying and social behavior. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Urban areas, forests ![Aerial Yellowjackets](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dolichovespula_maculata_fg01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Fritz Geller-Grimm, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dolichovespula_maculata_fg01.jpg) ## Appearance The Aerial Yellowjacket has a sleek, segmented body with vivid yellow and black bands across its abdomen. Its head features distinctive yellow markings, often including an anchor-shaped design on its face. Unlike furry bees, it appears smooth and has a sharply defined, narrow waist. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Dolichovespula ## Interesting facts - A queen yellowjacket starts a whole new colony all by herself each spring! - Some aerial yellowjacket colonies can grow as large as a football! - Their papery nests are made from chewed wood fibers mixed with their own saliva! - They are excellent predators, catching flies and caterpillars to feed their young. ## Special abilities - **Master Architect:** Aerial Yellowjackets can construct impressive, football-shaped paper nests because they chew wood fibers mixed with saliva. - **Potent Protector:** Aerial Yellowjackets have a smooth stinger that allows them to sting multiple times, helping them defend their colony effectively. - **Natural Pest Controller:** Aerial Yellowjackets can hunt and paralyze various insects and spiders, helping to control pest populations in their habitat. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 1000 ## Diet & Feeding Aerial Yellowjackets are skilled hunters and scavengers, eating insects and sugary foods. - **Age differences:** Larvae are fed insects by adults, while adults primarily consume nectar and sugary substances. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Caterpillars, Spiders, Nectar, Ripe fruit, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Adults capture flies to feed their developing larvae. - **Hunts:** Cabbage White Butterfly (*Pieris rapae*) — Larvae of this butterfly are a protein source for young yellowjackets. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons occasionally raid aerial nests for larvae. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Be careful and keep your distance from Yellowjackets, especially near their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aerial Yellowjackets? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Aerial Yellowjackets's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Aerial Yellowjackets? 10-15 mm ### How long does Aerial Yellowjackets live? 20-30 days ### How fast can Aerial Yellowjackets fly? 20 km/h ### What does Aerial Yellowjackets eat? Aerial Yellowjackets are skilled hunters and scavengers, eating insects and sugary foods. ### Where is Aerial Yellowjackets usually found? Urban areas, forests ### How does Aerial Yellowjackets hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Leschi Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leschi-park) — Washington, US · Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Aerial Yellowjackets: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aerial-yellowjackets)