" Yellowjackets are often mistaken for bees because they are similar in size and appearance, but are actually wasps. The yellow and black insect crawling on your soda can is likely a yellowjacket, which feeds on sweet-tasting liquids, generally plant sap or nectar from flowers or fruit.
And unlike bees, which are fuzzy and can sting only once, yellowjackets look shiny and can have bad attitudes.
Yellowjackets are social insects and generally live in colonies. They build paper nests underground, in trees or on buildings. When a nest is disturbed, they may attack en masse and inflict enough stings that they can be dangerous to people sensitive to the venom.
They are members of the Vespidae family, which also includes hornets and paper wasps. All build their nests of paper, can sting repeatedly and will defend their homes.
But they are not completely bad guys. They eat other insects, many of which are also agricultural pests, and they pollinate flowers and vegetables."
A bee or not a bee? Hot, dry summer is ideal for stinging insects
By Gloria Wright
And unlike bees, which are fuzzy and can sting only once, yellowjackets look shiny and can have bad attitudes.
Yellowjackets are social insects and generally live in colonies. They build paper nests underground, in trees or on buildings. When a nest is disturbed, they may attack en masse and inflict enough stings that they can be dangerous to people sensitive to the venom.
They are members of the Vespidae family, which also includes hornets and paper wasps. All build their nests of paper, can sting repeatedly and will defend their homes.
But they are not completely bad guys. They eat other insects, many of which are also agricultural pests, and they pollinate flowers and vegetables."
A bee or not a bee? Hot, dry summer is ideal for stinging insects
By Gloria Wright
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