Yellowjacket (yellowjacket wasp)

Gardens, woodland edges, meadows, urban areas, and buildings. Nests occur underground, in wall cavities, or in sheltered structures.

Adults eat sugary liquids, nectar, and fruit; they also hunt insects and scavenge meat to feed larvae.

Highly social, colony-forming wasps with annual nests in temperate regions. They defend nests aggressively and can sting repeatedly.

Stings are painful and may cause severe allergic reactions. They benefit ecosystems by controlling pest insects and assisting modestly with pollination.