Aerial Yellowjacket

Dolichovespula arenaria

Summary

Widely distributed and often found in central PA, the common aerial yellowjacket generally makes its home above ground. When the queen emerges from winter hibernation, she immediately goes about establishing her new colony. Spring-flowering plants such as American plum, gray dogwood and wild azalea provide nectar to fuel her activities. She selects a tree, shrub or man-made structure, and begins to form her papery nest, chewing up strips of dry wood to construct its cells. Although humans may fear a defensive sting, workers are focused on tasty insect prey such as caterpillars, flies and spittlebugs, which are captured and chewed up before delivery to the nest.

Ecosystem Connections

This wasp is really a gardener’s friend, hunting fall webworm larvae (Hyphantria cunea, which can defoliate woody ornamentals) and pear pyslla ( Cacopsylla pyri, which transmits a damaging disease to pears). Other favored prey insects include many caterpillars, flies, tree crickets and true bugs.

Scroll to Top