Known for its aerial building mastery, 'Dolichovespula arenaria' or 'aerial yellowjacket', constructs nests high up in trees or manmade structures. Its architecture prevents predation and creates an opportunity for symbiosis, with smaller insects benefiting from its scraps. Intriguingly, the aerial yellowjacket's sting is especially potent to its peers, often resulting in the takeover of rival hives, thereby increasing their lateral gene flow and ecosystem diversity.
Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Animals
Human Stinging
General Info About Aerial yellowjacket
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Attributes of Aerial yellowjacket
Colors
Black
Yellow
Habitat
arboreal to subterranean habitat; tree and shrub
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, tree sap, fruit juices, insects, honeydew
Larva Food Source
Caterpillars, flies, aphids, beetles, spiders
Biting/stinging
The Aerial yellowjacket may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
The Aerial yellowjacket has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Aerial yellowjacket feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
The Aerial yellowjacket typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing-lapping mouthparts
AI entomologist in your pocket, scan QR code to download
Species Status of Aerial yellowjacket
It distributed in the North American continent.
Distribution Area of Aerial yellowjacket
North American continent, Canada and the United States
Appearance of Aerial yellowjacket
D. arenaria can be identified by the medially interrupted or incised apical fasciae of terga 1 and 2. They are yellow in color and can be differentiated by the other yellow-colored wasps, D. adulterina, in its genus by the lack of black markings in the ocular sinus. In the majority of the population, the ocular sinus is yellow, but some melanic males have a black area that reaches the lower margin of the sinus. The queen has large black discal spots on terga 4 and 5, and smaller ones on terga 2 and 3. Males can be identified by the larger antenna, spots on their basal band on terga 4 and 5 as well as an abdomen that ends with a flat "fuzzy butt" instead of a pointed stinger. Nest size ranges from 1-6 combs, and are made out of dull grey paper. However, color variations do occasionally occur due to available materials.
Egg At this embryonic stage, the aerial yellowjacket is a minute, oval-shaped egg which later hatches into a larva, often white and legless, with little resemblance to the adult form.
Larva The larva, which is the main feeding stage of the aerial yellowjacket, undergoes multiple molts, visibly increasing in size with each molt. This stage is characterized by eating voraciously, often differing drastically in appearance from the adult.
Pupal During this transformative stage, the aerial yellowjacket becomes encased in a pupal cover and undergoes significant metamorphosis. Though inactive externally, it reorganizes internally to transition into a winged adult form with developed legs and compound eyes.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult aerial yellowjacket's development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
Adult Size of Aerial yellowjacket
9 - 14 mm
Interesting Facts About Aerial yellowjacket
Unlike bees, aerial yellowjacket can sting multiple times due to their smooth stingers which do not get lodged in their victim's skin.
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Youth Habitat of Aerial yellowjacket
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas
Adult Habitat of Aerial yellowjacket
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Are Aerial yellowjacket harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
The aerial yellowjacket can cause toxic reactions with a wide range of severity. However, the toxins are typically targeted at their prey and predators. They are usually not fatal to humans.
Are Aerial yellowjacket harmful to humans?
The female wasp has a long thick stinger connected to the poison gland. The main components of the venom are some alkaline substances, including histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, hyaluronidase, etc. When it is stung, it will shoot venom into the skin of the person, but the sting needle is not left in the leather suit. After a person is stung by a wasp, the stinged skin will immediately become red, swollen and painful, even with petechiae and skin necrosis. When the eye is stung, it will cause severe pain, tearing, redness and swelling, and may also cause corneal ulcers. In addition, systemic symptoms include dizziness, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, restlessness, and increased blood pressure. The above symptoms usually disappear within a few hours to several days. In severe cases, drowsiness, systemic edema, oliguria, coma, hemolysis, myocarditis, hepatitis, acute renal failure and shock. Some people allergic to bee venom can manifest as urticaria, anaphylactic shock, etc.
Harmful Effects of Aerial yellowjacket
Reveal the harmful impacts of diverse insects
Explore the dangers of insects related to toxicity, lethality, human biting, human stinging, pathogenicity, hematophagy, allergenicity, parasitism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Animals
Human Stinging
Toxic to Humans
Aerial yellowjacket possesses a sting that can inject venom, which includes various neurotoxins primarily designed to immobilize prey and dissuade predators. In humans, the sting may result in pain, redness, and swelling. Severe cases, although rare, could see escalated symptoms like nausea and muscle spasms. There are no long-term effects in healthy individuals, but repeated envenomation may sensitize some, leading to an increased risk of significant reactions upon subsequent stings.
Toxic to Animals
Aerial yellowjacket can have a range of toxic effects, from mild irritation to severe reactions. It injects venom through a bite, mainly as an adult. This venom can cause pain and discomfort in humans, while smaller animals like dogs and cats may experience more intense reactions. Birds and insects, too, might suffer from its sting, showing varying symptoms based on the amount of venom they receive and their own physiological responses to the toxin.
Does the Aerial yellowjacket sting humans?
Aerial yellowjacket may sting when threatened or provoked, often to defend their nest. Stinging typically occurs during unintentional human encounters near nests. Only female aerial yellowjackets have stingers, which they can use multiple times without dying. Stings can cause pain and allergic reactions in humans.
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Pollinator
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Smell
Aerial yellowjacket assists in pollination primarily while searching for food. Attracted by the vivid colors and enticing scents of flowers, it consumes pollen and nectar. During these feeding visits, pollen inadvertently sticks to its body and is transferred to other flowers, facilitating cross-pollination.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!