Yellowjacket

Vespula or Dolichovespula

Yellowjackets are a type of wasp that is known for their black and yellow stripes. They can be found at picnics looking for food!

Habitat: Gardens and urban areas

Appearance

The Yellowjacket is a wasp with a smooth, hairless body, distinctly marked with bright yellow and black bands. It has a very slender waist, clear wings, and prominent antennae. Its vibrant coloring serves as a warning.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyVespidaeGenusVespula

Yellowjacket

Interesting facts

A yellowjacket queen starts her entire colony alone after waking from hibernation.

Only female yellowjackets sting; males do not have a stinger!

Some species build their papery nests entirely underground in old rodent burrows.

They get more aggressive in late summer as their colony grows large and food dwindles.

Special abilities

Yellowjacket can release pheromones that alert colony members to threats or food, helping them respond quickly.

Yellowjacket can hunt and paralyze insects with its venom, providing protein for its growing colony.

Yellowjacket can chew wood fibers into a pulp to construct durable, multi-layered underground or aerial nests.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 20-30 mm
Size: 10-16 mm
Lifespan: 14-365 days
Flight Speed: 20 km/h
Leg Count: 6
Colony Size: 5000

Diet & Feeding

Yellowjackets are omnivores, eating both sugary foods for energy and protein for growth.

Primary Foods

Nectar
Fruit
Insects
Carrion
Sugary Drinks

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Tobacco hornworm

Manduca sexta

They hunt caterpillars for protein.

hunts

House fly

Musca domestica

Yellowjackets prey on various fly species.

eaten by

American Badger

Taxidea taxus

Badgers dig up and eat their underground nests.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Urban Friendly

Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.