Yellowjackets - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Yellowjackets are a type of predatory wasp that are found throughout North and South America.
- 2. They are known for their distinctive yellow and black coloration, which is similar to that of bees.
- 3. Yellowjackets are social insects, meaning they live in colonies with a queen and workers.
- 4. The queen yellowjacket is the only member of the colony that reproduces, laying eggs that will hatch into worker yellowjackets.
- 5. Worker yellowjackets are responsible for gathering food, caring for the young, and defending the colony.
- 6. Yellowjackets primarily feed on other insects, but they are also attracted to sugary substances like fruit and soda.
- 7. Yellowjackets are known for their aggressive behavior, especially when their colony is threatened.
- 8. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- 9. Yellowjackets build their nests in underground burrows, in hollow trees, or in man-made structures like buildings or walls.
- 10. In the fall, yellowjackets become more aggressive as they search for food to sustain the queen through the winter months.