| |
Size: |
| |
Adult Workers are 3/8-5/8 inch (10-16 mm) long and Queens are 25% longer. |
| |
Characteristics: |
| |
Wings are folded lengthwise when at rest. |
| |
Color: |
| |
Abdomen usually has yellow and black bands, but some species are white and black, and two northern species have red markings. |
| |
Where Found: |
| |
All around the world; 16 species in the United States. |
| |
Comparison: |
| |
Bald-faced Hornet is mostly black, with light markings mostly on face but also on thorax and end of abdomen. European Hornets are large (to 1 3/8 in), and are brownish with orange bands. Honey Bee has hairy eyes, and its abdomen is not banded with yellow and black. Some Clear-wing Moths look like Yellowjackets, but have mouths that are siphons |
| |
Habitat: |
| |
Paper-carton nest eventually has 30-55 compartments surrounded by a paper "envelope". Made of chewed cellulose by queen who has overwintered (survived winter) and is ready to lay eggs, one in each compartment. Eventually there will be a number of paper-like combs attached one below the other, and covered with many layers of "paper". |
| |
Food: |
| |
Insects, meat and nectar. Also forage on source of sugars and carbohydrates. |
| |
Biology: |
| |
Social insects that live in colonies. Each colony has a queen that lays the eggs. Female workers that do not reproduce and males that come forth in late summer are reared in the same cells that were earlier used for the workers. Larger cells for rearing Queens are built at the end of the season. Mating occurs in fall after newly emerged queens and males leave the nest. Only queens who have mated hibernate and live through the winter. The Queen from the past season, who built the nest, as well as the workers and the males all die. |
| |
Damage: |
| |
Beneficial as they eat many pest species. May sting when nest entrance is approached and can be aggressive, stinging several times. |
| |
Invasion: |
| |
Depending on species, nests may be built on the ground; or in shrubs, trees, buildings, garages,attics, and sheds. |
| |
Control: |
| |
These stinging insects require special handling. In some cases, treatment will need to be performed at night when most of the insects are in their nest. Aerosol or dust products are the most effective. Personal protective equipment should be worn by the applicator in most situations. Poor application techniques may result in aggravating this insect and the applicator may be stung if precautions are not taken. Due to the inaccessibility of nests and the need to contact them with a control material, it may be beyond the ability of the property owner to eliminate the problem. Professional exterminators are equipped with protective bee-suits, appropriate control materials and application equipment that insure overall safety in the control process. Once insects have been controlled, entry points on structure should be sealed if nest was located there. If you attempt to control these insects and make an application, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions. |
