Yellowjacket

Natural Habitat

Nests are typically found in the ground (old rodent burrows) or in structural voids of buildings.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Eusocial insects with a caste system including a queen and worker. Known for aggressive defense of their colony, especially in late summer.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest insect populations; however, they pose a risk to humans due to painful, multiple stings that can cause anaphylaxis.

Identified on: 5/26/2026