Black and yellow wasps are a very common sight during the warm months in North America. With over 30000 species of wasps worldwide it can be tricky to identify the specific type of black and yellow wasp you may encounter. While some species can be aggressive if their nest is disturbed, others are quite docile and beneficial pollinators. Learning to identify the most common black and yellow wasps can help you know if you need to exercise caution or if you can simply enjoy watching their busy work.
Distinguishing Wasps from Bees
Before identifying specific species it’s important to understand the difference between wasps and bees. Both are flying insects, but there are a few key identifying features of wasps
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Slender, smooth bodies with narrow waists – compared to the furry, rounder bodies of bees.
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Transparent wings that are smooth without veins – bee wings have small veins throughout.
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Legs that dangle in flight – bees tend to tuck their legs in flight.
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Lack of body hair – bees are quite fuzzy compared to wasps!
So if you see a smooth, slender insect with dangling legs zipping by, it’s likely a wasp rather than a bee. Now let’s explore some of the most common black and yellow species found across North America.
European Paper Wasp
The European paper wasp is one of the most ubiquitous black and yellow wasps. They have yellow bands across their abdomen and thorax, with a black head and orange antennae tips. Paper wasp colonies contain one queen along with female workers who care for larvae and defend the nest.
These wasps build open comb nests out of chewed wood fiber, often under the eaves of houses or in sheltered outdoor areas. They can be aggressive if their nest is disturbed, stinging repeatedly to defend it. So it’s best not to provoke them! But they will generally leave humans alone if undisturbed.
Eastern Yellowjacket
Found throughout eastern North America, the Eastern yellowjacket is a black and yellow striped wasp living in large colonies up to 15,000 workers. They build papery nests, usually underground in abandoned rodent burrows.
Eastern yellowjackets scavenge at picnics and outdoor events, becoming a nuisance pest late in the summer when their colonies grow massive. They vigorously defend their nest, stinging repeatedly when disturbed. Thankfully, their nests die out over winter.
Yellow-Legged Mud Dauber
This solitary wasp builds its mud nests on rocky outcroppings, man-made structures, and caves. As the name suggests, they have distinctive yellow legs, along with a black and yellow striped abdomen. They provision their nests with paralyzed spiders and other insects to feed their larvae.
Mud daubers tend to be docile, rarely stinging unless handled. Their pest control benefits in eating crop pests outweigh their mild nuisance.
Cicada Killer
The large cicada killer wasp is a solitary species found in eastern and midwestern North America. Females dig burrows in soil where they stockpile paralyzed cicadas to feed their young. Males are territorial, dive-bombing anything that approaches their mating territory which can be alarming to humans. But male cicada killers lack a stinger and are harmless.
These wasps are huge, up to 2 inches long! They are black with light yellow stripes on their abdomens. Despite their imposing size, they are not aggressive and rarely sting unless handled roughly.
Aerial Yellowjacket
This yellow and black striped paper wasp inhabits fields and open woodlands where it builds single exposed comb nests high up in trees and bushes. They have more delicate bodies compared to bulky underground nesting yellowjackets.
Aerial yellowjackets prey on caterpillars, feeding the protein-rich morsels to their larvae. Adults sip flower nectar. They are mildly defensive, stinging readily if their nest is disturbed. It’s best to leave aerial nests alone and let their occupancy come to a natural end after one season.
Black and Yellow Mud Dauber
Found throughout the United States, this solitary wasp builds mud nests attached to vertical structures and under eaves. Their long, black bodies have yellow stripes and markings on the abdomen and thorax. They provision their nests with spiders and other insects to feed their offspring.
Docile and unlikely to sting, these beneficial wasps control pest populations in gardens and crops. An exception to “look but don’t disturb” rule, as their nests can be safely removed when found on human structures.
German Yellowjacket
Native to Europe but now common across the Northern Hemisphere, German yellowjackets have distinctive black dots on their faces. They build nests underground and in wall voids of houses where colonies can grow quite large by late summer.
Foraging workers scavenge human food and garbage, becoming a pervasive nuisance pest. They aggressively defend their nest, readily stinging with minimal provocation. Professional pest control is recommended to eliminate unwanted German yellowjacket nests.
Golden Paper Wasp
Most common in western North America, this paper wasp species shows color variations across its range. In the southwest, they are solid yellow with scarcely any black markings. But further north they exhibit the classic black and yellow banded pattern.
Nests are small, around 300 cells, and are built in protected areas like under eaves. Adults feed on nectar and prey on caterpillars. Mildly defensive, it’s still wise to avoid disturbing their nests.
Hidalgo Mason Wasp
A large mason wasp species found across North America identified by ivory spots on its black and yellow banded body. It builds free-standing mud nests often attached to vertical surfaces like walls. They stock their nests with paralyzed insects to feed the larvae.
Docile by nature, Hidalgo mason wasps are not prone to stinging when undisturbed. Their presence helps control garden pests. Simply monitor their nests and wait for a natural end to occupancy before removing.
Summary
With over 30,000 wasp species globally, narrowing down black and yellow wasps found specifically in North America makes identification much more manageable. Looking for key physical and behavioral traits will help distinguish docile species from those that are aggressively defensive. Avoid provoking wasps nesting near human activity when possible. But nuisance species like German yellowjackets may require pest management if colonies expand in proximity to homes. Familiarity with the most common black and yellow wasps will allow you to make informed choices about control versus peaceful coexistence in shared environments.
Life cycle of a colony European hornet queen beginning a new nest in spring. Source: Pixabay
- Spring: As the weather warms, reproductive females, called queens, emerge from a hibernation-like state and search for a suitable nest site. Each wasp queen works alone and begins nest construction and raising the first generation of workers by herself. All worker wasps are sterile females.
- Summer: Workers take over nest construction duties as well as foraging for food, and the queen remains in the nest to lay eggs for future generations of workers. The nest population gradually increases until it reaches its largest number of wasps by late summer or early autumn.
- Late summer into autumn: Some of the larvae raised become new queens and males instead of workers, and they leave the nest to find mates. Males die soon afterward, while the queens search for a sheltered location to overwinter by themselves, such as under a fallen log or in a tree crevice. The social order of the nest may begin to break down, and the workers might be more easily agitated and defensive of a disturbed nest.
- Winter: Freezing weather ends any remaining nest activity. The original queen from spring, all of the female workers, and all of the males die. Young mated queens have left the nest and are inactive, overwintering elsewhere (leaf litter, tree bark, compost piles, logs, soil cavities, wall voids). The nest will not be re-used.
Hornet nest structure, with the inner layers of comb and outer covering (partially removed for viewing). Source: Pixabay
Baldfaced hornet Worker scraping off wood pulp for nest-building. Photo: M. Talabac, UME
Despite its common name, this is a type of “aerial” yellowjacket (one of 7 to 8 such species in North America), not a true hornet. They are native to the U.S. and widespread in Maryland.
Identification
- Medium-sized among social wasps, ranging from ⅝ to ¾ of an inch long for workers and just over an inch for queens.
- Body colors are black and white, with a white face.
Nest traits
- Usually light gray in color, but may include a mix of gray and light brown stripes.
- The main entrance is the lowest and most prominent opening in the cone- or egg-shaped nest, but other arched openings around the top of the dome also give wasps access to the interior. A relatively new nest may have a long entrance tube extending downwards.
- Nests are built out in the open, with combs surrounded completely by a paper envelope. They can be surprisingly easy to miss, given their eventual size, until winter reveals their presence. Nests may hang from a tree branch, potentially up to 60 feet or more high in the canopy, or be attached at least 3 feet high to a building overhang, wall, or utility pole.
- At peak population, nests may contain about 100 to 400 workers.
Top 13 Types Of WASPS to Look Out For This Summer!
FAQ
What kind of wasps are black and yellow?
The most common type of paper wasp is the European paper wasp. European paper wasps are yellow and black, and they sting — so they are frequently mistaken for yellowjackets. From their appearance, to their nests, to their behavior, here are five key ways to distinguish the two insects from each other.
Are yellowjackets wasps aggressive?
Yellow Jackets
These aggressive wasps are known for their painful stings, and their habit of nesting in the ground can make them difficult to deal with. If you have a yellow jacket ground nest on your property, it’s important to take steps to remove it as soon as possible.
Will a cicada killer wasp sting you?
Can Cicada Killers Sting Humans? Female cicada killer wasps have large stingers, and their sting can be very painful, but they rarely sting humans. Unlike other stinging insects, these wasps don’t even have nest-protecting instincts. Male cicada killer wasps don’t even have stingers.
Are European paper wasps aggressive to humans?
The European paper wasp is capable of stinging. Among the stinging insects found in the state European paper wasp is relatively non-aggressive, and somewhat less likely to sting than are most yellowjackets and bumble bees. Stings from European paper wasp occur almost exclusively when nests are accidentally disturbed.
What is a yellow and black wasp?
Yellowjackets or yellow jackets are the most common type of yellow and black wasp. They have a yellow abdomen with black bands and dots, a black thorax with yellow markings, and a yellow and black face. These wasps typically average around 0.47” (12 mm) in length.
How long does a wasp sting last?
A wasp sting typically lasts for a few hours to a few days. Initially, there is a sharp pain, followed by redness, swelling, and itching at the sting site. Most symptoms gradually improve over the first 24 hours. However, in some cases, individuals may experience lingering discomfort or localized swelling for a few days. Severe allergic reactions can occur, leading to more prolonged and serious symptoms, which require immediate medical attention. If you suspect an allergic reaction or if the symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical help promptly.
Do some wasps have yellow spots?
While some wasps have wavy yellow bands across their abdomens, most species of aerial yellowjackets have four yellow patches on the black thorax. These wasps also have long hooked antennae and measure 0.3” to 0.7” (8 – 18 mm) in length.
What are black and yellow spider wasps?
Black and yellow spider wasps, also known as golden spider wasps, are among the most enthralling insects. They are named for their distinct hunting style, which involves paralyzing spiders with deadly stings and dragging them back to their nests.
What are black and yellow paper wasps?
Black and yellow paper wasps are found in the southern United States. The black and yellow paper wasp is identified by its black thorax, orange antennae, and yellow and orange abdomen with thin brown bands.
Do black and yellow wasps resemble bees?
Identifying black and yellow wasps can be tricky because some wasps look like bees. Additionally, hornets with black and yellow stripes are a type of wasp but have more aggressive behavior.