# Widow Yellowjacket (*Vespula vidua*) The Widow Yellowjacket is a small, black and yellow insect that loves to buzz around in gardens. They can be found flying near flowers and are known for their quick movements and teamwork. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Widow Yellowjacket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Vespula_vidua_-_Ground_Hornet_on_Milkweed_%286993664769%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ilona L from Wisconsin -- USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vespula_vidua_-_Ground_Hornet_on_Milkweed_%286993664769%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Widow Yellowjacket has a striking appearance with a mostly black abdomen that features minimal, pale yellow or whitish markings, often forming an arrowhead shape on its first segment. Its head and thorax are also black with some yellow accents, and its legs are typically black. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Vespula ## Interesting facts - Only the queen lives through winter to start a brand new colony! - Their homes are often hidden underground, making them secret architects! - They help keep pesky garden bugs in check by eating them for dinner! - Yellowjackets communicate danger to each other using special warning chemicals! ## Special abilities - **Sting Defense:** The Widow Yellowjacket can deliver a painful sting because it has a specialized stinger that helps them protect their colony from threats. - **Paper Construction:** Widow Yellowjackets can build impressive paper nests because they chew wood fibers and mix them with saliva to create a strong home. - **Protein Providers:** Widow Yellowjackets can hunt and scavenge for food because their strong jaws help them gather protein to feed their growing larvae. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-35 mm - **Size:** 12-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 5000 ## Diet & Feeding These busy insects enjoy both sugary treats for energy and other small bugs for protein. - **Age differences:** Adults prefer sugary foods for energy, while larvae require protein, which workers bring them. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, fruit, sap, carrion, flies, caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Striped Skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*) — Skunks dig up nests to eat the protein-rich larvae inside. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Adults hunt flies and other small insects to feed their young. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adult yellowjackets visit these flowers for sugary nectar. ## 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. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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, as they can sting if they feel threatened. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Widow 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 Widow Yellowjacket's wingspan? 20-35 mm ### How big is Widow Yellowjacket? 12-18 mm ### How long does Widow Yellowjacket live? 20-60 days ### How fast can Widow Yellowjacket fly? 15 km/h ### What does Widow Yellowjacket eat? These busy insects enjoy both sugary treats for energy and other small bugs for protein. ### Where is Widow Yellowjacket usually found? Urban areas ### How does Widow Yellowjacket hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Rutherfurd Hall](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rutherfurd-hall) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Springfield Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/springfield-street-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District ## 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: [Widow Yellowjacket: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/widow-yellowjacket)