# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Aerial Yellowjacket ![Common Aerial Yellowjacket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gilles_Gonthier_-_Dolichovespula_arenaria_%28by%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Gilles Gonthier from Canada, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gilles_Gonthier_-_Dolichovespula_arenaria_%28by%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Dolichovespula ## 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 - **Aerial Architect:** Common Aerial Yellowjacket can build large, papery nests high in trees using chewed wood fibers that helps shelter its entire colony. - **Protein Provider:** Common Aerial Yellowjacket can hunt various insects using its powerful jaws and agile flight, providing protein for its growing larvae. - **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 - **Hunts:** tobacco hornworm (*Manduca sexta*) — Workers hunt caterpillars to feed their developing larvae. - **Eaten by:** [cross orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Yellowjackets can become prey if they fly into a spider's web. - **Eats:** [eastern kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Kingbirds are known to catch and eat wasps, including yellowjackets. ## 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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [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 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 ## Where to spot - [Five Channels Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/five-channels-dam) — Michigan, US · Historic Site - [Stone Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stone-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [Alaska Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-botanical-garden) — Alaska, US · Botanical Garden - [Bush Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bush-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Meshomasic State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/meshomasic-state-forest) — Connecticut, US · Forest - [Nyack Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nyack-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District [View all places to see Common Aerial Yellowjacket](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-aerial-yellowjacket) ## 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: [Common Aerial Yellowjacket: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-aerial-yellowjacket)