Vespula maculifrons
Table of Contents
Common Name: Eastern Yellow Jacket
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia |
Phylum: Arthropoda |
Class: Insecta |
Order: Hymenoptera |
Family: Vespidae |
Genus: Vespula |
Species: Vespula maculifrons |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
The Eastern yellow jacket is 3/4" long with a bold yellow and black body. The wings are dark.
Habitat & Range
These wasps are found throughout the Eastern US in forests and fields.
Behavior
They nest under debris or underground and build a small light brown paper nest. They eat sugar and other insects as well as scavenge meat.
Life Cycle
Queens will build a nest and lay eggs that will grow into her first generation of workers. She feeds and cares for the larave until they undergo metamorphosis and emerge as adults. All following generations are cared for by the workers.
Featured image by James Dake.
Related
Vespula maculata
Bald-faced Hornet
Apis mellifera
Honey Bee
Bombus impatiens
Eastern Bumble Bee