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Common Aerial Yellowjacket

Dolichovespula arenaria

The Common Aerial Yellowjacket is a buzzing insect known for its bright yellow and black stripes. They are often seen flying around flowers and picnic areas, looking for food.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Common Aerial Yellowjacket has a distinctly slender body with bright yellow and black bands. Its face is mostly yellow with a prominent black anchor-shaped mark. Unlike bees, it has a very narrow waist connecting its thorax and abdomen, giving it a sleek appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyVespidaeGenusDolichovespula
Common Aerial Yellowjacket
Photo: Gilles Gonthier from CanadaCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
striped trait badgesocial trait badgeaerial trait badgeomnivorous trait badge
Common Aerial Yellowjacket

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

7

Interesting facts

A queen yellowjacket can live for an entire year!

Adult yellowjackets love to sip sweet flower nectar and fruit!

Baby yellowjackets are fed a diet of finely chewed insects!

Their impressive nests are made from chewed-up wood pulp!

Special abilities

Ability

Aerial Architect

Common Aerial Yellowjacket can build large, papery nests high in trees using chewed wood fibers that helps shelter its entire colony.

Ability

Protein Provider

Common Aerial Yellowjacket can hunt various insects using its powerful jaws and agile flight, providing protein for its growing larvae.

Ability

Defensive Sting

Common Aerial Yellowjacket has a smooth stinger that helps them defend their nest and deter threats without losing their weapon.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
18-30 mm
Size
10-17 mm
Lifespan
20-30 days
Flight Speed
15-25 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
4000

Diet & Feeding

These helpful insects eat pests as larvae and enjoy sweet nectar as adults.

Age differences: Adults primarily consume sugary liquids for energy, while larvae require protein from insects.

Primary Foods

  • caterpillars
  • flies
  • spiders
  • nectar
  • ripe fruit

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Aerial Yellowjacket

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Be careful around yellowjackets; they can sting if they feel threatened.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Common Aerial Yellowjacket?

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 Common Aerial Yellowjacket's wingspan?

18-30 mm

How big is Common Aerial Yellowjacket?

10-17 mm

How long does Common Aerial Yellowjacket live?

20-30 days

How fast can Common Aerial Yellowjacket fly?

15-25 km/h

What does Common Aerial Yellowjacket eat?

These helpful insects eat pests as larvae and enjoy sweet nectar as adults.

Where is Common Aerial Yellowjacket usually found?

Urban areas

How does Common Aerial Yellowjacket hunt?

Foraging

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