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Common European Yellowjacket

Vespula vulgaris

The Common European Yellowjacket is a buzzing insect known for its bright yellow and black stripes. They are social creatures that live in big groups and can be seen flying around flowers and food.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Common European Yellowjacket has a stout, hairless body marked with bright, distinct yellow and black bands. Its slender waist and two pairs of transparent wings differentiate it from similar-looking bees, which are usually fuzzier. Queens are noticeably larger than worker wasps.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyVespidaeGenusVespula
Common European Yellowjacket
striped trait badgesocial trait badgeomnivorous trait badgescavenger trait badge
Common European Yellowjacket

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

A single yellowjacket colony can grow to include over 15,000 wasps in just one summer!

Only the queen yellowjacket survives winter, starting a brand new colony each spring!

These wasps are omnivores, eating both sugary foods and other insects for energy.

Yellowjackets chew wood fibers and mix them with saliva to create their amazing paper nests.

Special abilities

Ability

Repeated Sting Power

Common European Yellowjacket can sting multiple times because its stinger is smooth, helping them defend their nest effectively.

Ability

Paper Architect

Common European Yellowjacket can build complex, paper-like nests by chewing wood fibers, helping them create sturdy shelters.

Ability

Pest Patrol

Common European Yellowjacket can hunt various insects like flies and caterpillars, helping them provide protein for their larvae.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-30 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
15-30 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
15000

Diet & Feeding

Yellowjackets eat both sugary foods and protein from other insects.

Age differences: Larvae need protein; adults mostly consume sugars and liquids.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • fruit
  • sap
  • carrion
  • flies
  • caterpillars

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

House Fly

Musca domestica

Hunts flies to feed its hungry larvae.

hunts

Small Cabbage White

Pieris rapae

Preys on caterpillars, helping protect garden plants.

parasitizes

Thick-headed Fly

Physocephala rufipes

Larvae of this fly parasitize adult yellowjackets.

eaten by

European Badger

Meles meles

Badgers dig up nests for a tasty treat.

Traits

Also known as

Common WaspEuropean Yellowjacket

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

If you see a yellowjacket, stay calm and don’t swat at it. Just walk away slowly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Common European Yellowjacket's wingspan?

20-30 mm

How big is Common European Yellowjacket?

10-15 mm

How long does Common European Yellowjacket live?

15-30 days

How fast can Common European Yellowjacket fly?

20 km/h

What does Common European Yellowjacket eat?

Yellowjackets eat both sugary foods and protein from other insects.

Where is Common European Yellowjacket usually found?

Urban areas

How does Common European Yellowjacket hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Common European Yellowjacket have?

6

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