# Blackjacket (*Vespula consobrina*) The Blackjacket is a type of wasp that has a shiny black body and yellow stripes. They are often seen buzzing around flowers and can be found in many gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Blackjacket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Vespula_consobrina.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jim Bell, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vespula_consobrina.jpg) ## Appearance The Blackjacket is a medium-sized wasp with a distinct black and white pattern on its abdomen, lacking the yellow typically seen on other yellowjackets. It has a shiny black body and a very narrow waist separating its thorax and abdomen, making it visually unique among its relatives. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Vespula ## Interesting facts - Blackjackets are often called 'forest yellowjackets' due to their dark markings! - The queen wasp is the only one who survives winter to start a new colony in spring! - They are super helpful predators, munching on garden pests like caterpillars and flies! - Unlike bees, a Blackjacket can sting multiple times without losing its stinger! ## Special abilities - **Swift Defense Power:** Blackjacket can deliver a painful sting because it has a potent venom that helps them protect their nest and colony from threats. - **Precision Mandibles:** Blackjacket has strong mandibles that help them chew prey, scavenge food, and gather materials to build their intricate paper nests. - **Cooperative Colony:** Blackjacket lives in large, organized colonies where many wasps work together, helping them forage efficiently and defend their shared home. - **Underground Architects:** Blackjacket can construct elaborate paper nests, often hidden underground, which helps protect their young and the queen. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-22 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 100-5000 ## Diet & Feeding These wasps primarily hunt insects for protein but also enjoy sugary treats from plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume insects brought by adults for protein, while adults primarily feed on sugars for energy. - **Primary Foods:** caterpillars, flies, spiders, aphids, nectar, fruit sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Tobacco Hornworm (*Manduca sexta*) — Provides protein for developing larvae. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Captures these common flies to feed their young. - **Eaten by:** Striped Skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*) — Skunks often dig up and eat entire Blackjacket nests. - **Eaten by:** [Yellow-rumped Warbler](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-rumped-warbler) (*Setophaga coronata*) — Some birds, like warblers, will opportunistically eat wasps. ## 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. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [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 around wasps! Don't bother them or their nests, and they will usually leave you alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blackjacket? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Blackjacket's wingspan? 15-22 mm ### How big is Blackjacket? 10-15 mm ### How long does Blackjacket live? 14-28 days ### How fast can Blackjacket fly? 15 km/h ### What does Blackjacket eat? These wasps primarily hunt insects for protein but also enjoy sugary treats from plants. ### Where is Blackjacket usually found? Urban areas ### How does Blackjacket hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Rockport Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rockport-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District ## 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: [Blackjacket: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blackjacket)