Artist: Rhys Pritchett
Yellow Jacket - Vespulasulphurea
Description: Yellow jackets are the general name for this species of wasps in North America. Considered to be a social predatory wasp, identified by their color or the simple fact that they fly in a side-to-side manner before landing.
Service to our ecosystem
- Pest Control: Yellow Jackets are beneficial to people as they help control insects in gardens; acting as a natural exterminator. It is estimated that about 2 pounds of insects can be removed from a 2,000 square foot garden. Wasps are pollinators to the garden as well.
- Ecological Balance: Keep insect populations down by feeding on them. Mosquitoes or flies can overpopulate quickly without the help of yellow jackets.
- Maintains ecological balance: Several large and small mammals in turn feed on Yellow Jackets. A colony of yellow jackets provides a nutritious, conventional meal for bears, foxes, skunks and raccoons. Skunks get a huge percentage of their protein requirements from yellow jackets. Pet owners with reptile pets (like lizards) at home can be fed young yellow jackets and larvae.
Fun Facts
- Only female yellow jackets and wasps sting
- Several insects mimic yellow jackets to scare off predators
This router is located on the East wall of Yolo Hall.