Bug Identifier
Yellowjacket
Community identification

Yellowjacket

Vespula spp.

Order & Family
Hymenoptera: Vespidae
Size
10 to 16 mm (approx. 0.5 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.