244. Western Yellowjacket

The Western yellowjacket queens overwinter and usually emerge March to April when they go to look for a new nest. Apparently they won't reuse a nest from a previous year. The warm weather of the past few weeks may have brought this one out early - she was found in a malaise trap that we have on the property.  

Western yellowjackets (Vespula pensylvanica) are social, underground nesters and as many know, they will repeatedly sting and and aggressively protect these nests. There are records of nests (not at Leaning Oaks!) that have over 2000 workers in one nest!  They can become a nuisance on their up years when the larvae start to grow and they require copious quantities of protein for which they aggressively scavenge! You know what I mean - no piece of salmon goes untouched. In their quest for proteins they do feed on caterpillars, flies, aphids and scavenge on carcasses; so it is not all bad! The workers chew up the protein and feed the larvae the chewed up food. The adults will eat some of the liquids from these chewed up delicacies, but they mainly feed on plant nectar.  As they do this, they are also aiding pollination - another reason to let them be when possible.   The adults require carbohydrates  to maintain their zippy life style; thus the sweets on the table or heading towards your mouth are targets. 

 

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