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Western Yellowjacket (queen)

Vespula pensylvanica

Photo by BugEric
Published on Project Noah
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38.8332, -104.745

Field Notes

Description:

Roughly 16 mm in length, marked as shown. This species has little variation in color and pattern.

Habitat:

Found in residential neighborhood in mostly urban area with some open spaces. Native habitat is shortgrass prairie with riparian corridors.

Notes:

This wasp was gleaning "honeydew" off the leaves of a cottonwood tree. Honeydew is produced by aphids and scale insects as a liquid waste product. It is sweet and sticky, and many other insects feed on it.

Reference Links:

Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Western Yellowjacket

Species ID Suggestions

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Photographed
PublishedMay 30, 2013

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