Vespula

insect genus

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July 14, 2026

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Vespula is a genus of social wasps that includes various hornets and yellow jackets. These wasps belong to the family Vespidae, which is widely distributed and contains social wasps that live in colonies.12

Social wasps, including those in the genus Vespula, have a caste system with queens, drones (males), and sterile female workers. The queen starts the colony in the spring by building a nest and laying eggs. Workers then enlarge the nest, which is made of chewed plant material mixed with saliva.3

Yellow jackets, a type of Vespula wasp, are known for their yellow and black abdominal markings, though some species have different colorations. They build concealed nests, often underground or in cavities, and their colonies can erupt in a stinging swarm if disturbed.4

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wasp
…the genera Polistes, Vespa, and Vespula. Many are large and aggressive and are equipped with formidable stings. Some Vespula species are called yellow jackets owing to the black and yellow bands on their abdomen. Species of Vespa are called hornets, which are mostly black, with yellowish markings on the face,…
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…the genera Polistes, Vespa, and Vespula. Many are large and aggressive and are equipped with formidable stings. Some Vespula species are called yellow jackets owing to the black and yellow bands on their abdomen. Species of Vespa are called hornets, which are mostly black, with yellowish markings on the face,…
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yellow jacket
…35–40 species (genera Dolichovespula and Vespula) of social wasps, principally of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite the common name yellow jacket—which is used in reference to the typical coloration of the abdomen, with yellow and black markings—some species are white and black, and others are marked with red. Like hornets, yellow…
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…35–40 species (genera Dolichovespula and Vespula) of social wasps, principally of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite the common name yellow jacket—which is used in reference to the typical coloration of the abdomen, with yellow and black markings—some species are white and black, and others are marked with red. Like hornets, yellow…
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