# Eastern Yellowjacket (*Vespula maculifrons*) The Eastern Yellowjacket is a small, buzzing insect that loves to fly around in the summer. They are known for their bright yellow and black stripes and can be found in many places, especially near food. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 21 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Eastern Yellowjacket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Vespula_maculifrons_339919133.jpg&width=800) Photo: Desislav Iliev, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vespula_maculifrons_339919133.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Yellowjacket has a sleek, segmented body with vivid alternating black and yellow bands across its abdomen. It features a distinct narrow waist and clear, membranous wings. Its smooth body, lacking significant hair, helps differentiate it from fuzzy bees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Vespula ## Interesting facts - Only the queen survives winter to start a brand new colony each spring! - Some yellowjackets can recognize individual faces of other colony members! - Their nests are built from chewed-up wood fibers, making them look like paper homes! - They act as tiny cleanup crews, removing dead insects and food scraps from nature! ## Special abilities - **Multi-Sting Power:** Eastern Yellowjacket can sting multiple times because its stinger is smooth, helping it defend its nest without harm. - **Pest Patrol:** Eastern Yellowjacket can hunt many insect pests, helping to control populations of flies and caterpillars in its habitat. - **Sweet Tooth Seeker:** Eastern Yellowjacket can quickly find sugary treats, which helps power its high-energy activities and feed its larvae. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 10-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 12-22 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 4000 ## Diet & Feeding Eastern Yellowjackets are opportunistic hunters and scavengers, feeding on both protein and sugars. - **Age differences:** Adults primarily consume sugars for energy, while larvae require protein brought back by workers. - **Primary Foods:** flies, caterpillars, spiders, nectar, fallen fruits, carrion - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Birds may prey on foraging adults. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Mammals sometimes dig up and consume entire nests. - **Hunts:** [Spongy Moth](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spongy-moth) (*Lymantria dispar*) — Larvae are a protein source for developing yellowjacket young. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Yellowjackets actively capture and eat these common flies. ## 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. - [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. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [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 If you see a yellowjacket, stay calm and don't swat at it. Just walk away slowly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern 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 Eastern Yellowjacket's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Eastern Yellowjacket? 10-16 mm ### How long does Eastern Yellowjacket live? 12-22 days ### How fast can Eastern Yellowjacket fly? 25 km/h ### What does Eastern Yellowjacket eat? Eastern Yellowjackets are opportunistic hunters and scavengers, feeding on both protein and sugars. ### Where is Eastern Yellowjacket usually found? Urban areas ### How does Eastern Yellowjacket hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Chandon Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chandon-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Plymouth Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-plymouth-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Folly Lick Stream Valley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/folly-lick-stream-valley-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Eastern Yellowjacket](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-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: [Eastern Yellowjacket: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-yellowjacket)