Eastern yellowjacket vs Western yellowjacket
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell an eastern yellowjacket from a western yellowjacket, and whether either one bites or stings.
Eastern yellowjacket
Vespula maculifrons
Western yellowjacket
Vespula pensylvanica
≠The key differences
Also similar; differences are in the exact band shapes and facial markings and typically require expert comparison or location-based inference (east versus west).
⚖︎Side by side
| Eastern yellowjacket | Western yellowjacket | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Stinging wasp | Painful sting |
| Size | 10-16 mm body length (workers); queens larger, up to about 20 mm | 10-16 mm (workers); queens larger, up to 18-20 mm |
| Colours | Yellow, Black | Yellow, Black, Dark brown |
| Family | Vespidae | Vespidae |
| Habitat | Edges of woods, fields, suburban areas; nests in underground cavities (rodent burrows, soil cavities), wall voids and occasionally above ground in sheltered sites | Open and semi-open habitats, urban areas, orchards, gardens, forest edges; nests are usually underground in abandoned rodent burrows, sometimes in wall voids, hollow logs or other cavities |
| Range | Eastern North America — broadly across eastern United States and adjacent southern Canada | Native to western North America (British Columbia to Baja California, east to parts of the Rocky Mountains); introduced and invasive in Hawaii and some other Pacific islands |
| Active | Spring through fall; peak activity in mid to late summer and early autumn; active during daylight | Spring to autumn in temperate zones; year-round activity possible in warm climates. Mostly active during daylight hours. |
| Pest? | Yes | Yes |
🔍How to spot an eastern yellowjacket
- Stocky yellow-and-black wasp with alternating abdominal bands and distinctive dorsal markings on the abdomen.
- Body length about 10-16 mm for workers; queens noticeably larger.
- Nests typically underground in cavities or rodent burrows; watch for wasps flying directly to and from a small ground entrance.
🔍How to spot a western yellowjacket
- Robust wasp 10-16 mm with bold alternating black and yellow bands on the abdomen
- Face and thorax marked with yellow and black, with a complete yellow ring around each eye; stout, compact body compared with long-bodied paper wasps
- Nests usually underground in rodent burrows, sometimes in wall voids or other cavities; enclosed papery nest rarely exposed
- Behavior: flies rapidly and gleans food from surfaces; frequently seen at human food and trash
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an eastern yellowjacket and a western yellowjacket?
Also similar; differences are in the exact band shapes and facial markings and typically require expert comparison or location-based inference (east versus west).
Is an eastern yellowjacket or a western yellowjacket more dangerous?
Eastern yellowjacket: Stinging wasp. Western yellowjacket: Painful sting. Workers can sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively. Western yellowjackets can deliver painful stings and workers can sting multiple times.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.