Yellow Jacket (Vespula Sulphurea)

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

1. 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. 
2. Ecological Balance: Keep insect populations down by feeding on them. Mosquitoes or flies can overpopulate quickly without the help of yellow jackets.
3. 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.