Vespula germanica
FAMILY
Vespidae
TAXONOMY
Vespa germanica Fabricius, 1793.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: German wasp; Spanish: Chaqueta amarilla, avispa chaqueta amarilla, avispa carnívora, avispa alemana.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body length of 0.41–0.80 in (10.5–20.3 mm). Black antennae and yellow and black body, with black arrowhead-shaped markings pointing backward along the top of the abdomen and black spots on either side.
DISTRIBUTION
Worldwide, including Europe, northern Africa, and temperate Asia. It was introduced into Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, Argentina, and Chile.
HABITAT
These wasps thrive in urban areas; their liking for fruit, meat, and sweets brings them into contact with people.
BEHAVIOR
Eusocial. These wasps live in hidden nests, which are either underground or in the wall cavities or ceilings of buildings. A mature nest is the size of a football and is constructed of a papery material. The combs are covered completely with a balloon-like envelope. Adult forms include fertile females (queens), workers (females, usually sterile), and fertile males. In late summer, colonies produce new queens and males. After mating, these new queens go into hibernation. Males and workers do not survive the winter. The following spring the queen emerges from hibernation and searches for a suitable nesting site. She then collects wood or other vegetable fiber from shallow cells. Females cooperate in nesting, exhibiting reproductive division of labor.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Adults forage for meats, sweets, and fruits. The larvae are fed by the workers with masticated portions of animal matter and, at times, with fruit juices, nectar, and honeydew.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
The queen lays an egg in each cell and then protects the resulting larvae, feeding them daily. After 12–18 days the larvae spin cocoon caps over their cells and transform into pupae. When adults emerge about 12 days later, they serve as the first brood of workers, and the queen resumes egg laying.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Because yellow jackets forage for meats, sweets, ripe fruit, and garbage, they pose a threat to humans. They are a particular problem in picnic areas and orchards and around garbage containers. The sting is painful but not usually serious, although some people suffer a bad allergic reaction. Stings inside the throat are potentially fatal and require immediate medical attention.
