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Southern Yellowjacket

Southern Yellowjacket

Vespula squamosa

A species of Ground yellowjackets

The southern Yellowjacket( Vespula squamosa) is easily identified by its distinctive black and yellow striped patterning. This wasp is known to be highly aggressive when disturbed. To secure the nest, they might chase the threatener very far. Besides, they can sting multiple times without losing their stingers or dying.

Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Does the Southern Yellowjacket sting humans?
Human Stinging
General Info About Southern Yellowjacket
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Attributes of Southern Yellowjacket
Colors
Black
Yellow
Habitat
unnatural or disturbed environment (yard; picnic table; artificial environment); forest
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, fruit juices, insects, human garbage, carrion
Larva Food Source
Insects, caterpillars, spiders, aphids, soft-bodied insects
Biting/stinging
The Southern Yellowjacket may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
The Southern Yellowjacket has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Venomous
The Southern Yellowjacket can induce toxic reactions varying in severity. Nevertheless, these toxins primarily target their prey and predators and are usually not fatal to humans.
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Southern Yellowjacket is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Southern 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.
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Species Status of Southern Yellowjacket
They are typically found in the eastern United States and as far south as Mexico and Guatemala.
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Distribution Area of Southern Yellowjacket
Eastern North America, extends as far south as Central America
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Appearance of Southern Yellowjacket
Vespula squamosa is typically about 1.3 cm long and distinguishable by its black body and yellow striping pattern over its entire body. This species has clear wings and a hairless body. She is significantly larger than the males and workers and is more orange in color. Workers have fore wing lengths of 1 - 1.1 cm, and males’ are about 1.3 cm. In addition, the queen is about 4 mm longer than her worker and male counterparts.
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How to Identify Southern Yellowjacket?

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Predators of Southern Yellowjacket Larvae
Birds, rodents, spiders, insectivorous insects
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Predators of Adult Southern Yellowjacket
Birds, spiders, praying mantises, dragonflies, frogs, rodents
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Interesting Facts About Southern Yellowjacket
Southern Yellowjacket can adjust their body temperature to survive chilly mornings by vibrating their flight muscles, similar to a warm-up before they take off.
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Scientific Classification of Southern Yellowjacket
Tips for Finding Southern Yellowjacket
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Youth Habitat of Southern Yellowjacket
Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies
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Adult Habitat of Southern Yellowjacket
Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies
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How Can You Attract Southern Yellowjacket
Sweet sugary substances or proteins like meat or fish can be used as bait to attract southern Yellowjacket, as they are attracted to various types of food depending on the colony's needs.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Southern Yellowjacket
Southern Yellowjacket are more likely to be active on warm and sunny days, while they tend to be less active during cool or rainy weather.
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How and Where Can You Find Southern Yellowjacket at Different Life Stages
Adult During early spring, southern Yellowjacket queens emerge from hibernation to search for nesting sites. Look for them flying low around potential nest locations, such as rodent burrows or in the eaves of buildings.
Adult southern Yellowjacket workers can be found from late spring into summer, visiting flowers for nectar or scavenging for proteins. Finding them involves setting bait traps or searching flowering plants.
Larva Southern Yellowjacket larvae remain inside the nest, so locating them involves carefully tracking worker southern Yellowjacket back to their nest or locating the nest structure in places like underground cavities or in cavities within walls or trees.
Pupal Southern Yellowjacket pupae are also within the nest, which is typically paper-like and can be found in sheltered areas such as attics, sheds, or dense foliage. Extreme caution is advised to avoid disturbing the nest and risking stings.
Are Southern Yellowjacket harmful?
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The southern 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.

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Are Southern 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 Southern Yellowjacket
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Toxic to Humans
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Toxic to Animals
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Human Stinging
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Toxic to Humans

Southern Yellowjacket has a venomous sting used in defense and predation. The sting contains neurotoxins that can cause pain, swelling, and redness in humans. Immediate effects include a sharp burning sensation, while severe stings may lead to headache, fever, and nausea. Repeated stings can present escalated risks with more intense symptoms.

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Toxic to Animals

Southern Yellowjacket is capable of delivering venom through its fangs, impacting a variety of animals upon biting. Human encounters can result in pain and discomfort, ranging from mild to severe reactions based on individual sensitivity. Domestic pets, such as dogs and cats, might also suffer from similar symptoms. Its venom can affect small mammals, potentially leading to more severe consequences. Even smaller creatures, like insects, are not immune to southern Yellowjacket's defense, which can incapacitate or deter these animals effectively.

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Does the Southern Yellowjacket sting humans?

Southern Yellowjacket typically sting humans in defense of their nest or when threatened. They possess a sting that can be used multiple times, unlike other Hymenoptera species. Stings can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions in humans. Only female southern Yellowjacket are capable of stinging, as males lack a stinger. Stinging does not harm southern Yellowjacket physically, allowing them to defend aggressively.

More Effects of Southern Yellowjacket

Beneficial Effects of Southern Yellowjacket
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Smell
Southern Yellowjacket assists in pollination primarily by seeking out flowers for their pollen, which they consume for nourishment. Attracted by the scent of flowers, they inadvertently collect pollen on their bodies and transfer it to other blooms, facilitating cross-pollination.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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