Bug Identifier
Common Yellowjacket
Community identification

Common Yellowjacket

Vespula vulgaris

Order & Family
Hymenoptera, Vespidae
Size
12 mm to 19 mm (0.5 to 0.75 inches), with workers being smaller and queens being larger.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Nests are typically found underground, within hollow logs, or inside wall voids of buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on sugar-rich foods like nectar and fruit, while larvae are fed protein sources like masticated insects and scavenged meat.

Behavior Patterns

Eusocial insects living in annual colonies with a queen-based hierarchy; they exhibit defensive stinging behavior if the nest is threatened and are active during the day.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Aggressive relative to bees and capable of multiple stings which can cause allergic reactions. Benefits: Act as natural pest controllers by hunting caterpillars and flies.