# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Common Wasp, European Yellowjacket ![Common European Yellowjacket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Flying_Vespula_vulgaris.jpg&width=800) Photo: soebe, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flying_Vespula_vulgaris.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Vespula ## 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 - **Repeated Sting Power:** Common European Yellowjacket can sting multiple times because its stinger is smooth, helping them defend their nest effectively. - **Paper Architect:** Common European Yellowjacket can build complex, paper-like nests by chewing wood fibers, helping them create sturdy shelters. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-badger) (*Meles meles*) — Badgers dig up nests for a tasty treat. ## 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. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [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. - [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 If you see a yellowjacket, stay calm and don’t swat at it. Just walk away slowly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common European 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Knowsley Safari Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/knowsley-safari-park) — England, GB · Zoo ## 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 European Yellowjacket Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-european-yellowjacket)