Yellowjacket or yellow jacket is the common name in North America for predatory social wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries.

Jan 5, 2025 · yellow jacket, any of 35–40 species (genus Dolichovespula or Vespula) of social wasps, principally of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite the common name yellow jacket —which is used in reference to the typical coloration of the abdomen , with yellow and black markings—some species are white and black, and others are marked with red.

May 17, 2023 · Yellowjackets do have their uses – they prey on a large number of insects – including many that are damaging to agriculture. However, their tendency to bite and sting generally makes them unwelcome residents of a yard or, perish the thought, a house!

Apr 21, 2022 · The yellow jacket is a bee-sized, black insect with distinct yellow markings on the head and yellow bands around the abdomen. The face is mostly yellow with dark eyes.

Yellowjackets are a very common summer and fall pest in the United States, and while they are grouped in the general category of stinging insects, yellowjackets have some pretty unique characteristics. Understanding what sets yellowjackets apart is the first step in controlling them on your property and reducing the likelihood of stings.

Oct 13, 2023 · Yellow jackets are a type of social wasp that can often be found buzzing around your backyard. Known for their distinctive yellow and black stripes, they play an important role in controlling insect populations.

Jan 31, 2025 · Yellow Jackets wasps are commonly found along the edges of forests and can make their hives closer to the ground than in the tree canopy like other wasps. Adult Yellow Jackets feed off of nectar while other adults pre-chew …

V. maculifrons is commonly found throughout eastern North America to the Great Plains. In most of the areas where it is found, V. maculifrons is the most common yellowjacket species. In the spring, the queen selects the spot where the colony will be located.

The Yellow Jacket (Vespula vulgaris) is a wasp-like insect characterized by an unmistakable yellow and black color pattern. Commonly found in forests, meadows, and gardens, this insect is known for its potentially aggressive behavior when threatened, making it a …

Yellowjackets are buzzing, busy insects known for their striking black and yellow stripes and their role as important members of the insect world. These wasps might seem intimidating with their stingers and their tendency to show up uninvited at picnics, but they play a crucial role in nature.