|
|
Yellowjacket Wasps (Vespidae)
- Don't call 'em bees! -
|
Summary: Yellowjacket wasps are social insects that live in large colonies organized by a queen. All worker yellowjackets are daughters of the queen. Colonies, and nests, usually start in the spring, grow through summer then die in the fall. Colonies are most threatening in late summer and early fall.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
|
|
|
|
|
 These pages will help you get rid of dangerous or threatening yellowjacket nests and reduce the potential for stings from these insects.
Yellowjackets are wasps with a distinctive black and yellow coloration (right), some species such as the misnamed "baldfaced hornet", however, are white over black. Yellowjackets maintain relatively large colonies inside an enclosed nest.
Yellowjacket wasps (Vespula spp.) are sometimes called simply "wasps", "social wasps" or "social vespids". The common names we use for wasps can be very confusing. The most common social wasps that cause problems for people worldwide are discussed below. These wasps make large, papery nests either below ground or above ground. Some species have adopted a scavenger habit that brings them into contact with people.
|
 |
|
yellowjacket wasp
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are many species of yellowjackets but most people only encounter the scavenger species. Scavenger yellowjackets feed on both living and non-living prey so are drawn to any food within their search area. These species also tend to build larger and thus more threatening nests. Most yellowjacket species, on the other hand, are strictly predatory and have no interest in our picnic food or fruit trees.
Common misspellings and misnomers for yellowjackets: yellow jackets, bees, hornets, ground hornets, garbage bees
|
Yellowjacket colony life
Yellowjacket wasps live in large colonies that are run by a single egg-laying queen. Colonies start in the spring when the queen emerges from a winter dormancy. Once a few workers (female offspring of the queen) are reared the queen no longer leaves the nest. Colonies grow throughout summer, reach maximum size by fall then begin to decline. Most nests die out before winter. Only mated queens survive until the following spring.
Colonies become aggressive in late summer
Yellowjackets can be particularly aggressive in late summer when colonies reach maximum size. This aggression is generally associated with colony defense but stings can occur away from the nest. If you get stung, get moving! When yellowjackets sting they may leave behind a small amount of chemical marker that identifies you as an enemy of the nest. For this reason you should quickly leave the area after being stung before other wasps have a chance to swarm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
