The eastern yellowjacket, aka eastern yellow jacket, are considered a pest species due to their nesting in populated areas such as buildings. They face the threats of invasive species, at the hands of the German yellowjacket; predation, by raccoons, skunks, badgers, and bears, pesticide use as a means to kill them, and environmental factors, such as harsh winters (they typically have a mass die off in winter). However, these insects are abundant and not evaluated by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as stable.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Vespula maculifrons
Weight: Up to 0.0014 ounce
Length: Up to .75 inch
Wingspan: Up to 1.25+ inches
Lifespan: Up to 1 year
Now on to the Facts!
1.) A larger sized nest can contain up to 15,000 cells.
2.) Nests are built from worn down and decaying wood.
3.) They are found throughout the eastern portions of Canada and the United States.
4.) These wasps were first described by French entomologist Robert du Buysson in 1905.
5.) Like other wasps, the hive consists of queens, workers, and males.
But wait, there’s more on the eastern yellowjacket!
6.) When an intruder arrives a pheromone is produced that activates their fight or flight response.
7.) If the hive perceives a threat, they will attack via a zig zag patterning and typically go directly for the attacker.
Did you know…?
Their sting causes localized, temporary irritation to severe systemic reactions and can even results in allergic shock (anaphylaxis).
8.) They are a polyphagous species, meaning that they typically feed on a variety of different foods such as sugary liquids, including fruit juices, flower nectar, tree sap, and honeydew.
9.) Houseflies lay their eggs directly on the outer portion of the nest envelope. When the eggs hatch, the larvae then fall into the soil below. The larvae then feed on the waste material produced from the inhabitants of the nest above, thereby preventing it from building up under the nest.
10.) These wasps are both a pest and beneficial in that they can inflict a painful sting in response to a perceived threat and they also help control pest insect populations. Unlike honey bees, wasps can sting repeatedly.
Now a Short Eastern Yellowjacket Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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