Insect Order (Hemiptera)
HEMIPTERA (TRUE BUG)
Piercing and sucking mouthparts - or rostrum - are what differentiate True Bugs from the rest and this means that the insects generally fed on plants as a natural diet. Around 12,000 such species are recognized in North America alone. These bugs can be found on land and in the water and have thick wings kept close to the body. A prominent identification feature is the triangular-shaped scutellum located on the thorax aft of the protonum. The Hemiptera order covers True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, and related insects.
Taxonomy
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Vespula maculifrons.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Vespidae
Genus: Vespula
Species: maculifrons
Characteristics
Caution: Caution should be exercised around this insect.
Harmful: Known to be harmful in one way or another.
Hive / Colony: Known to have a very social existence.
Round: Has a noticeably round or rounded body shape.
Six-Legged: Six legs are common to this insect.
Small / Tiny: Noticeably small to the naked eye.
Stinging: Known to sting if bothered / threatened.
Striped / Banded: Noticeable stripes or banding pattern.
Winged: Has wings to hop or fly over distance.
Description
The Eastern Yellowjacket Wasp has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
black yellow harmful stinging winged wings flying hive ground dangerous six-legged aggressive bands banded striped stripes small large
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Eastern Yellowjacket Wasp. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.31 inches
(8 mm)
Highest-High:
0.71 inches
(18 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Eastern Yellowjacket Wasp. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Eastern Yellowjacket Wasp can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Eastern Yellowjacket Wasp Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of a Queen Eastern Yellowjacket Wasp on the ground.; Credit: Julie W. of Franklin, TN.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
