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Eastern yellowjacket wasp
Vespula maculifrons
35.9132, -79.0558
Field Notes
Description:
This type of yellow jacket nests in the ground, although unusual nest locations can occur above the ground in urban environments such as hollow walls, attics, and other artificial spaces. This wasp is adept at stinging, especially if the nest is threatened. Not to be confused with certain bees that die after a single sting, these wasps may sting repeatedly whenever they feel it necessary and my experience proves it!
Habitat:
My front yard
Notes:
Yesterday, when moving logs to install a new bird nesting box, I inadvertently disturbed a nest of paper wasps (which I had not seen) and was stung in quick succession 6 times. It was very painful and I am grateful for Benadryl, although today three of the stings are still very sensitive. According to an overview of the 10 most painful insect stings, the yellowjacket’s sting feels hot and is if someone is extinguishing a cigar on your tongue. Although I haven’t experienced the latter, it was a very unpleasant surprise. One wasp had managed to get a ride inside my T-shirt, which I found when I had taken it off to treat a sting on my stomach. See: http://io9.com/5912008/the-ten-most-painful-insect-stings-as-measured-b… and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2148089/The-10-painful-s…
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