Yellow Jacket Wasp
The yellow jacket wasp is a species of social wasp that is commonly found in North America and other parts of the world. Yellow jackets wasp are known for their yellow and black striped bodies, as well as their aggressive behaviour and painful stings.
Appearance
- Yellow jackets are a type of social wasp that are known for their bright yellow and black striped bodies.
- They are usually between 10 and 16 millimetres in length and have a slender, cylindrical shape.
- They have a narrow waist and a pair of large wings that are folded back along their bodies when they are at rest.
- Some species may have additional markings, such as white or orange spots on their abdomens or legs.
- Yellow jackets also have large eyes and antennae, as well as strong mandibles that they use to capture prey.
Life Cycle
- In the spring, the mated yellow jacket queen emerges from overwintering and begins to build a new nest. She starts by laying eggs in a small, papery nest and caring for the first batch of larvae that hatch from the eggs.
- The first workers emerge from the eggs and take over the duties of caring for the growing larvae and expanding the nest. The queen continues to lay eggs, and the colony grows rapidly.
- Throughout the summer, the colony continues to grow as more workers emerge and the queen lays more eggs.
- The workers forage for food, which they bring back to the colony to feed the queen and the developing young.
- In late summer, the queen begins to lay eggs that will develop into new queens and males.
- These individuals mate and leave the nest to start new colonies of their own.
- As the weather cools in the fall, the colony begins to decline. The workers and the old queen die, leaving only the mated new queens to overwinter and start the cycle again the following spring.
Habits
- Yellow jackets build their nests in a variety of locations, including underground, in hollow trees, and in wall cavities and attics of buildings.
- Yellow jackets feed on a variety of foods, including insects, fruit, nectar, and other sweets. They are often attracted to food and drinks at outdoor gatherings and can become a nuisance to people.
- Yellow jackets are social insects and live in large colonies with a single queen and many workers. The workers forage for food and care for the developing young, while the queen focuses on laying eggs.
- Yellow jackets are known for their aggressive behaviour and can sting repeatedly if they or their nests are threatened.
- They are territorial and will defend their nests and foraging areas against other yellow jackets and other potential predators.
- Yellow jackets are known to swarm, especially when their nests are disturbed or when food is scarce. This can be a dangerous situation, as a large number of yellow jackets can sting multiple times and cause significant pain and swelling.