The common confusion surrounding small, flying insects that sting often places yellow jackets alongside bees and other wasps. Distinguishing between these groups is difficult for the average person. However, a definitive classification exists, and understanding the differences in physical appearance and behavior can help people better identify the insect.
The Definitive Classification
Yellow jackets are classified as wasps, belonging to the order Hymenoptera (which includes bees and ants) and the family Vespidae. This family, sometimes referred to as vespid wasps, includes paper wasps and hornets. Yellow jackets are represented by the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. The common name “yellow jacket” is used primarily in North America for these predatory social wasps.
The scientific grouping establishes that the yellow jacket is not a type of bee, but rather a close relative to other stinging insects. The two main genera comprise about 35 to 40 different species. This classification solidifies their status as a type of wasp.
Key Physical Distinctions
Yellow jackets possess specific physical traits that separate them from both bees and other wasps. Unlike honey bees, which are covered in short, fuzzy hairs, yellow jackets appear smooth and lack a dense coat of hair. Their color is a bright, vivid yellow and black, often in alternating bands on the abdomen, whereas honey bees tend to have a more muted, honey-brown coloration.
A defining feature is the distinct, narrow attachment point between the thorax and the abdomen, often referred to as the “wasp waist” or petiole. The body of a yellow jacket is shorter and thicker than the long, slender body of a paper wasp. Female yellow jackets have a smooth stinger without barbs, allowing them to sting repeatedly, unlike the honey bee, which leaves its barbed stinger behind and dies.
Unique Behavioral Traits
The behavior of yellow jackets is a noticeable difference, particularly regarding their social structure and foraging habits. Yellow jackets are social insects that live in large, organized colonies that can contain thousands of workers by late summer. Most species prefer to build their nests in concealed locations, frequently underground in abandoned rodent burrows or within wall voids.
A primary behavioral trait is their aggressive scavenging, especially later in the season when the colony population peaks and natural food sources decline. They are omnivorous, seeking out both sugary foods and protein sources like meat and dead insects. This scavenging behavior causes them to frequently congregate around human activities, such as picnics and outdoor dining. Yellow jackets are highly territorial and will aggressively defend their nest, often stinging repeatedly.