Yellowjackets

What Do Yellowjackets Look Like?

Yellowjackets are easily distinguishable due to their distinctive black and yellow coloration, which is similar to that of bees. Here is a detailed description of what yellowjackets look like:

• Size: Yellowjackets are typically about 10-16 mm (0.4-0.6 inches) in length. Queens are usually larger, measuring around 19 mm (0.75 inches).
• Body: They have a slender, elongated body with a clearly defined waist, making them different from bees, which have a more robust and hairy appearance.
• Coloration: Yellowjackets have a bright yellow and black color pattern. Their head and thorax are primarily black, while the abdomen is marked with distinct yellow and black bands. The patterns may vary slightly among different species.
• Antennae: Yellowjackets have long, slender antennae with 12 segments. Their antennae are typically black.
• Wings: They have two pairs of transparent wings, with the forewings slightly longer than the hindwings.
• Stinger: Yellowjackets have a smooth, lance-like stinger, which allows them to sting multiple times. This is in contrast to honeybees, which have barbed stingers that remain embedded in their target after a single sting.
• Legs: Their legs are relatively thin and not adapted for carrying pollen, unlike bees.
• Nest: While the appearance of the individual yellowjacket can vary depending on the species, they all share the common characteristic of building nests from a papery material. The nests can be underground, in cavities, or suspended in trees or shrubs.

There are several species of yellowjackets, and their specific markings may vary slightly. However, the general coloration and body shape described above are common characteristics for this group of wasps. Understanding these physical characteristics can help in distinguishing yellowjackets from other insects, such as bees or hornets.

Learn more: What Do Yellowjackets Look Like?

Where Are Yellowjackets Found?

Yellowjackets can be found in a variety of habitats, and their nesting sites can vary depending on the species. Here are some common locations where you might encounter yellowjackets:

• Yards and Gardens: Yellowjackets are often attracted to sugary foods and can be found around outdoor picnics, barbecues, and other events where sweet or savory foods are present. They may also visit flowers in search of nectar.
• Wooded Areas: Some species of yellowjackets build their nests in tree cavities or shrubs in forested areas.
• Underground: Many yellowjacket species construct their nests underground in abandoned burrows, rodent holes, or other cavities. These underground nests are often well-hidden and can be challenging to spot.
• Structures: Yellowjackets may build nests in or around buildings, such as in wall voids, eaves, or attics. They may enter homes or structures in search of food.
• Hollow Trees: Some yellowjacket species create nests in hollow trees or logs.
• Urban Areas: Yellowjackets are adaptable and can thrive in urban and suburban environments. They may build nests in bushes, shrubs, or even inside utility boxes.
• Gardens and Orchards: Yellowjackets are attracted to ripe fruit and can often be found in gardens or orchards where fruit is present.
• Hiking and Camping Sites: In outdoor recreational areas, especially during late summer and early fall, yellowjackets can be attracted to human food and may become a nuisance.
• Dumpsters and Trash Bins: Yellowjackets are scavengers and can be found near dumpsters and trash containers where they search for food.
• Parks and Public Spaces: In public areas with food vendors or areas where people congregate, yellowjackets may be attracted to food scraps and waste.

Exercise caution when encountering yellowjackets, particularly if you come across a nest. Yellowjackets are known for their aggressive defense of their nests and can sting repeatedly. If you suspect a yellowjacket nest near your home or a public area, it's advisable to contact a professional pest control service for safe removal. Attempting to remove a nest on your own can be dangerous.

What Is The Life Cycle Of Yellowjackets?

The life cycle of yellowjackets is a well-defined process that encompasses various stages. It all commences in early spring when mated queens, which have overwintered, emerge from their hibernation sites. These queens are the sole survivors from the previous year's colony. They embark on a quest to locate suitable nesting sites, which can vary from underground burrows to above-ground locations like shrubs or trees. Once a nest site is chosen, the queen starts laying a small number of eggs and diligently tends to them until they hatch into larvae.

As spring progresses into early summer, the first brood of eggs matures into sterile female workers. These workers take on the crucial roles of foraging, nest maintenance, and caring for the queen and subsequent broods. During this time, the colony grows significantly, with the queen continually laying eggs. The worker population increases dramatically, reaching its zenith in late summer.

In late summer to early fall, the focus shifts to reproduction. The queen produces new queens and males. These reproductives develop from specially nourished larvae and eventually leave the nest to mate. Following mating, the males perish, and the newly mated queens search for sheltered overwintering sites, such as under leaf litter or in hollow trees, to survive the winter.

As the weather gets colder and the winter months approach, the worker population declines, and the nest activity diminishes. The old queen also passes away during this period, and the newly mated queens enter hibernation to endure the winter. This cycle repeats each spring, with the mated queens emerging from their overwintering sites, seeking out suitable nesting locations, and founding new colonies. It's important to note that this life cycle may exhibit slight variations depending on the specific species and local climate, but the annual nature of yellowjacket colonies is consistent across the board, with new colonies established each spring.