# 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!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate
- **Habitat:** Gardens and urban areas
- **Also known as:** Yellow Hornet

![Yellowjacket](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424329/objects/5466.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hymenoptera
- **Family:** Vespidae
- **Genus:** Vespula

## 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

- **Chemical Communication:** Yellowjacket can release pheromones that alert colony members to threats or food, helping them respond quickly.
- **Predatory Prowess:** Yellowjacket can hunt and paralyze insects with its venom, providing protein for its growing colony.
- **Papermaker:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-badger) (*Taxidea taxus*) — Badgers dig up and eat their underground nests.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [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.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [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.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)
- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs)

## Safety

**Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate

Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify 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 Yellowjacket's wingspan?

20-30 mm

### How big is Yellowjacket?

10-16 mm

### How long does Yellowjacket live?

14-365 days

### How fast can Yellowjacket fly?

20 km/h

### What does Yellowjacket eat?

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

### Where is Yellowjacket usually found?

Gardens and urban areas

### How does Yellowjacket hunt?

Foraging

## 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*)

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Source: [Yellowjacket: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellowjacket)