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Widow yellowjacket

Widow yellowjacket

Vespula vidua

A species of Ground yellowjackets, Also known as Long yellowjacket

Vespula vidua, known generally as the long yellowjacket or widow yellowjacket, is a species of stinging wasp in the family Vespidae.

Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Does the Widow yellowjacket sting humans?
Human Stinging
General Info About Widow yellowjacket
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Attributes of Widow yellowjacket
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Habitat
disturbed area; yard; pasture
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, fruit, tree sap, insects, human food scraps
Larva Food Source
Caterpillars, flies, aphids, spiders, other small arthropods
Biting/stinging
The Widow yellowjacket may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
The Widow yellowjacket has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Venomous
The Widow 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
Predatory
The Widow yellowjacket typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing-lapping mouthparts
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Species Status of Widow yellowjacket
Widely distributed
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Distribution Area of Widow yellowjacket
United States
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Life Cycle of Widow yellowjacket
Egg The egg stage involves a small, typically oval-shaped egg, usually laid in a protected environment. The widow yellowjacket's egg has a hard protective covering and bears little resemblance to the mature insect.
Larva The larval widow yellowjacket undergoes a series of molts, significantly increasing in size over this stage. It is worm-like with a soft exoskeleton, feeds voraciously, and lacks wings and adult appendages.
Pupal In the pupal stage, the widow yellowjacket is generally immobile, encased within a cocoon or pupal case. Transformation occurs within, as the body reorganizes into the adult form, with developing wings and legs visible in later stages.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult widow 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.
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Predators of Widow yellowjacket Larvae
Birds, rodents, spiders, predatory insects (like other wasps and ants)
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Predators of Adult Widow yellowjacket
Birds, bats, spiders, mantises, frogs, dragonflies
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Scientific Classification of Widow yellowjacket
Tips for Finding Widow yellowjacket
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Youth Habitat of Widow yellowjacket
Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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Adult Habitat of Widow yellowjacket
Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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How Can You Attract Widow yellowjacket
Sweet substances such as sugar water or fruit, or proteins like meat or fish can be used as effective bait traps due to widow yellowjacket's varied diet.
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Habitat Preferences of Widow yellowjacket Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of widow yellowjacket are typically found in subterranean nests that are well-hidden and often located in abandoned rodent burrows or natural cavities in soil. When searching for larvae, one should look for entrance holes surrounded by a small mound of earth, usually in open, sunny areas. Adult widow yellowjacket usually forage around vegetation, flowers, and other food sources like human food waste. To observe adults, attention should be paid to areas with abundant insect activity or potential nesting sites. Pupae, undergoing transformation, will also be inside the protected confines of the nest, not ordinarily visible without excavation or nest disruption.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Widow yellowjacket
The best time to find adult widow yellowjacket is usually during warmer days, as they are more active when temperatures are higher, typically from late spring through late summer.
Are Widow yellowjacket harmful?
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Are Widow 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 Widow 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

Widow yellowjacket possesses a sting utilized primarily for defense, capable of injecting venom containing neurotoxins into humans. The sting may cause pain, swelling, and redness as immediate effects. In rare severe cases, the toxins can lead to more serious symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and fever. No long-term effects are typical from stings unless compounded by secondary infections or significant envenomation.

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Toxic to Animals

Widow yellowjacket can release venom through its sting, which poses a risk to humans, dogs, and cats. The severity ranges from mild to severe reactions. When stung, humans may experience pain, swelling, and allergic responses. Dogs and cats could have similar symptoms, although they might accidentally aggravate the sting site by scratching. Widow yellowjacket uses its venom primarily for defense, and only the adults are capable of stinging. The impact of the toxin varies among different animal groups, but it generally causes discomfort and potential harm.

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Does the Widow yellowjacket sting humans?

Widow yellowjacket sting humans primarily in defense, when they feel threatened, or their nest is disturbed. As social wasps, only the females possess a sting, which they can use multiple times. Stings may result in pain, redness, and swelling for humans, but there's no physical consequence for the wasp post-stinging.

More Effects of Widow yellowjacket

Beneficial Effects of Widow yellowjacket
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Pollinator
Predators of Pests
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Smell
Widow yellowjacket assists in plant pollination primarily by searching for food. Attracted by the vivid colors and enticing scents of flowers, they inadvertently collect pollen on their bodies while feeding on nectar and pollen. As they move from flower to flower, they facilitate cross-pollination, which is vital for plant reproduction.
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults
Purpose
Feed Itself, Feed Offspring
Widow yellowjacket is an industrious predator, actively hunting down its prey to feed itself and its offspring. The larvae are especially voracious, consuming a range of insects including caterpillars, aphids, and flies. As adults, they continue this practice, maintaining the control of pest populations. Interestingly, widow yellowjacket's diet also influences the colony's health and growth rates.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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