Yellowjackets, Vespula spp. and Dolichovespula spp.

A worker of one of the many species of yellowjacket

Photo © Jim Kalisch, Department of Entomology,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Scientific Name:: Vespula spp. and Dolichovespula spp.
Family:: Vespidae
Order:: Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps)
U.S. Distribution:: All states; various species. The most common yellowjacket pests are: common yellowjacket (Vespula vulgaris)--most of the U.S.; eastern yellowjacket (V. maculifrons)--east of the Rocky Mountains; German yellowjacket (V. germanica)--northeast, central, and west coast; western yellowjacket (V. pensylvanica)--west, northern mountain, Hawaii; southern yellowjacket (V. squamosa)--eastern (south of NY), north central, gulf, southeast; aerial yelowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria)--Alaska to southern California, southwest, and central and northern part of east coast.

This page has three tables, (1) Identification, (2) Look-alike Pests, and (3) Biology and Habits.

Match the Shape and Size	Match the Color

Worker is 3/8-5/8 inch long (10-16 mm) Tiny waist Appears hairless (although there are some small, fine hairs present) Wings (4) clear and folded at rest Stinger present at tip of abdomen	Yellow abdomen with black bands and markings A few species white and black or with red markings
Illustration © Pinto & Associates	Photo by Dr. Pratt, CDC

Look-alike Pest	Differences
Honey bee (Apis mellifera )	Body with branched, pale hairs; eyes hairy; first segment of hind tarsus enlarged and flattened; barbed stinger
European paper wasp (Polistes dominulus)	Abdomen coloration similar to yellowjacket; waist is very thin; nest is characteristic upside down umbrella-shape; legs trail below in flight; parts of antennae orange
European hornet (Vespa crabro)	Similar markings and colors but much larger, 3/4-1 3/8 inch long (20-35 mm)

Match the Food and Site	Match the Habits and Damage

Adult collects sugary foods (nectar, honeydew, sap, ripe fruit, ice cream, sodas) or protein foods (insects & arthropods, dead animals, tuna, ham, fish, chicken, etc.) and feeds them to larvae and queen in the nest Depending on species, may nest in ground (most common), in voids, or in trees or bushes German yellowjacket constructs irregularly-shaped, papery comb nest almost exclusively in buildings - in wall or ceiling voids, insulation in attics, or in barns or sheds; rarely nests in ground Western yellowjacket sometimes nests in buildings Aerial yellowjacket nests in trees, shrubs, and on houses, sheds, and the like	Defends the nest site; a single yellowjacket can sting repeatedly; sensitized people can be deathly allergic to stings Mature nests can contain thousands of yellowjackets When void nest is stressed (German and western yellowjackets), workers can chew through plasterboard or exit light fixtures, etc. and enter living spaces Aggressive, annoying outdoor pest at picnics, parks, near garbage cans, etc., in late summer and fall In most areas, nests die out during winter & are not reused, but void nests may remain active later in season Overwintering queens may enter living areas of buildings
Photo © iStockphoto/Sascha Burkard	Photo © iStockphoto/Pekka Nikonen

Top 10 Pests: Yellowjacket