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Yellow Jacket
Only a few of the very large number of wasp species live a social life; these species are referred to as social wasps. Some social wasps are predators for most or all of the year and provide a great benefit by killing large numbers of plant-feeding insects and nuisance flies; others are exclusively scavengers. Wasps become a problem only when they threaten to sting humans. One of the most troublesome of the social wasps is the yellow jacket. Yellow jackets, especially ground- and cavity-nesting ones such as the western yellow jacket, tend to defend their nests vigorously when disturbed. Defensive behavior increases as the season progresses and colony populations become larger while food becomes scarcer. In fall, foraging yellow jackets are primarily scavengers and they start to show up at picnics, barbecues, around garbage cans, at dishes of dog or cat food placed outside, and where ripe or overripe fruit are accessible. At certain times and places; the number of scavenger wasps can be quite large.
IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE CYCLE
In western states there are two distinct types of social wasps: yellow jackets and paper wasps. Yellow jackets are by far the most troublesome group. Paper wasps are much less defensive and rarely sting humans. They tend to shy away from human activity except when their nests are located near doors, windows, or other high traffic areas.
Nests of both yellow jacket and paper wasps typically are begun in spring by a single queen who overwinters and becomes active when the weather warms. She emerges in late winter/early spring to feed and start a new nest. From spring to midsummer nests are in the growth phase, and the larvae require large amounts of protein. Workers forage mainly for protein at this time (usually in the form of other insects) and for some sugars. By late summer, however, the colonies grow more slowly or cease growth and require large amounts of sugar to maintain the queen and workers. So foraging wasps are particularly interested in sweet things at this time.
Normally, yellow jacket and paper wasp colonies only live one season. In very mild winters, however, some yellow jacket colonies survive for several years and become quite large.
Immature yellow jackets are white, grub like larvae that become white pupae. The pupae develop adult coloring just before they emerge as adult wasps. Immature are not normally seen unless the nest is torn open or a sudden loss of adult caretakers leads to an exodus of starving larvae.
IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE CYCLE
In western states there are two distinct types of social wasps: yellow jackets and paper wasps. Yellow jackets are by far the most troublesome group. Paper wasps are much less defensive and rarely sting humans. They tend to shy away from human activity except when their nests are located near doors, windows, or other high traffic areas.
Nests of both yellow jacket and paper wasps typically are begun in spring by a single queen who overwinters and becomes active when the weather warms. She emerges in late winter/early spring to feed and start a new nest. From spring to midsummer nests are in the growth phase, and the larvae require large amounts of protein. Workers forage mainly for protein at this time (usually in the form of other insects) and for some sugars. By late summer, however, the colonies grow more slowly or cease growth and require large amounts of sugar to maintain the queen and workers. So foraging wasps are particularly interested in sweet things at this time.
Normally, yellow jacket and paper wasp colonies only live one season. In very mild winters, however, some yellow jacket colonies survive for several years and become quite large.
Immature yellow jackets are white, grub like larvae that become white pupae. The pupae develop adult coloring just before they emerge as adult wasps. Immature are not normally seen unless the nest is torn open or a sudden loss of adult caretakers leads to an exodus of starving larvae.