# Yellowjacket

By [lake1618](https://paragraph.com/@lake1618) · 2021-10-29

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**Yellowjacket** or **yellow jacket** is the [common name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_name) in [North America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America) for predatory social [wasps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasp) of the [genera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus) [_Vespula_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespula) and [_Dolichovespula_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolichovespula). Members of these genera are known simply as "**wasps**" in other English-speaking countries. Most of these are black and yellow like the [eastern yellowjacket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_yellowjacket) _Vespula maculifrons_ and the aerial yellowjacket [_Dolichovespula arenaria_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolichovespula_arenaria); some are black and white like the [bald-faced hornet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald-faced_hornet), _Dolichovespula maculata_. Others may have the [abdomen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdomen) background color red instead of black. They can be identified by their distinctive markings, their occurrence only in colonies, and a characteristic, rapid, side-to-side flight pattern prior to landing. All females are capable of [stinging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinger). Yellowjackets are important predators of pest insects.\[\\

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowjacket#cite\_note-Akre-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowjacket#cite_note-Akre-1)

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*Originally published on [lake1618](https://paragraph.com/@lake1618/yellowjacket)*