# Southern yellowjacket (Vespula squamosa) > A social yellowjacket wasp of eastern North America that often forms large colonies by invading or taking over other yellowjacket nests. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/southern-yellowjacket/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Painful sting.** Southern yellowjackets can sting repeatedly; stings are painful and can cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible people (anaphylaxis). Aggression increases when colonies are disturbed or when foraging for food in late summer. First aid: move away calmly, clean sting with soap and water, apply cold pack to reduce pain and swelling. For signs of allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of face/throat, rapid pulse, dizziness) seek emergency medical care and use epinephrine if prescribed. **Pets:** Stings can be painful to pets and in some cases cause allergic reactions. Dogs or cats that disturb a nest may receive multiple stings; seek veterinary care if there are signs of severe swelling, vomiting, collapse or breathing difficulty. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Vespula squamosa - Order: Hymenoptera (Bees, wasps and ants) - Family: Vespidae (Vespid wasps) - Size: Workers 10-16 mm; queens up to 18-20 mm - Colours: Yellow, Black, Pale brown (nest paper) - Habitat: Woodland edges, fields, urban and suburban areas; nests in soil cavities, under logs, inside wall voids and other protected cavities - Range: Eastern and southeastern United States, west into the southern central US, and south through Mexico into Central America - Active: Spring to late fall; most abundant and aggressive in late summer and early fall during colony maturity - Lifespan: Workers live weeks to a few months; queens overwinter and live up to a year - Effect on plants: Pollinator and predator - Pest: yes ## Overview Vespula squamosa is a social wasp (yellowjacket) found mainly in the southeastern and eastern United States and south through Mexico into Central America. It is known for forming large colonies and for commonly acting as a social parasite or cohabitant of other Vespula species, especially Vespula maculifrons. Colonies may be started by a lone queen in spring or by a queen entering an established host nest; parasitism or cooperation with hosts can produce very large nests and high worker numbers. Workers forage for sugary foods and protein for larvae, and adults are often seen on flowers, ripe fruit and human food. ## How to identify it Adults are typical yellow-and-black yellowjackets: robust, smooth-bodied wasps about 10-16 mm long (workers). The head and thorax are mostly black with yellow markings, and workers show two distinct yellow stripes running lengthwise on the top of the thorax; the abdomen has alternating black and yellow bands with pattern differences that help separate species. The face often shows a distinctive yellow pattern above the mandibles and eyes. Queens are larger (up to about 18-20 mm) and distinctive, with an abdomen that is largely orange-brown rather than banded black and yellow. Nests are made of chewed plant fibers (paper-like), typically subterranean in soil cavities, in wall voids or under structures; large nests produced through parasitism can contain many combs and thousands of cells. - Yellow-and-black banded abdomen and two lengthwise yellow stripes on top of the thorax; queens have a mostly orange-brown abdomen. - Size: workers about 10-16 mm, queens larger and bulkier. - Nesting site: often subterranean or in cavities; unusually large colonies or aggregations of combs may indicate V. squamosa involvement. - Behavior: many workers foraging together on fruit or at human food sources, aggressive when nest disturbed. ## Lookalikes - **Eastern yellowjacket** (Vespula maculifrons): V. maculifrons is a common host and looks very similar; differences are small pattern details on the abdomen and face — identification often requires close inspection or expert keys. - **German yellowjacket** (Vespula germanica): V. germanica has different abdominal stripe shapes and a more widespread global distribution; behavior and nesting are similar but pattern details differ. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Laid by the queen singly in cells within the nest; hatch in several days depending on temperature. - **Larva (grub):** Larvae are fed crushed insects and protein by workers and grow through several instars over about 1-2 weeks. - **Pupa:** Larvae pupate in capped cells; metamorphosis to adult takes about 10 days to several weeks depending on season. - **Adult (worker/queen/ male):** Workers forage for food and care for brood; new queens and males are produced late in the season, males die after mating, and mated queens overwinter in sheltered sites before starting or taking over colonies in spring. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Fed by workers on chewed insects, spiders and other arthropods (protein) - Adults eat: Sugar sources: nectar, ripe fruit, honeydew and human foods and drinks; adults also scavenge protein. - Predators of the young: Ants, mites, parasitic flies and other wasps can attack brood or nests - Predators of adults: Birds, mammals like skunks or raccoons (which dig up subterranean nests), spiders and praying mantids ## Effect on plants and gardens Adults feed on nectar and fruit and can act as incidental pollinators. Larvae are fed protein from captured insects and arthropods, so the species can help control pest insects. ### How to get rid of it Do not attempt to destroy an active nest yourself. For nests near homes or high-traffic areas, hire a licensed pest control professional who can safely locate and remove or treat the nest. To reduce attractants: keep food and drink covered outdoors, secure trash and compost, remove fallen fruit, seal holes and gaps in walls and foundations, and avoid swatting or sudden movements around foraging wasps. For solitary sightings, a licensed exterminator can locate hidden nests if you notice many wasps repeatedly returning to the same spot. ## Where and when to find it Look for foraging adults on flowers, fallen fruit and sweet human foods; repeat flight paths to a single spot often indicate a nearby nest entrance. Nests are commonly underground, under logs, or inside wall and roof voids. - Best time: Best observed from late spring through fall, with the highest numbers and activity in late summer and early fall during warm daylight hours. - Tips: To find a nest, watch returning workers and follow their flight path at a safe distance. Photograph from a distance and avoid sudden movements. If you suspect a nest inside a structure, do not try to open or remove it yourself. ## Fun facts - Vespula squamosa often forms very large colonies by invading or taking over other yellowjacket nests, sometimes producing nests far larger than typical yellowjacket colonies. - Because it commonly uses other yellowjackets as hosts, its colonies can be mixed—workers from both species may be present. - Despite the common name, 'southern' yellowjacket ranges well into the eastern United States, not only the deep south. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are southern yellowjackets dangerous? Yes — they can deliver painful stings and will sting repeatedly if threatened. People with insect venom allergies risk anaphylaxis and should avoid contact and carry prescribed epinephrine. ### Do southern yellowjackets sting humans? Yes. Workers will sting to defend the nest or if handled; they are often more aggressive when colonies are large in late summer. ### Why are there so many yellowjackets near my house? Large numbers may indicate a nearby nest, often subterranean or in wall voids. Late summer is peak forager numbers as colonies reach maximum size and need more food. ### How do I get rid of a yellowjacket nest? Because of the risk of multiple stings, contact a licensed pest control professional to treat or remove an active nest. For prevention, seal entry points in buildings, remove food attractants, and keep garbage tightly closed. ### Where do southern yellowjackets build nests? They nest in underground cavities, under logs, in wall voids and other protected cavities. Large nests produced with host cooperation can occupy unusual spaces and be very extensive. ### Can southern yellowjackets help my garden? Yes — workers hunt many insect pests and adults visit flowers and fruit, so they provide pest control and incidental pollination, though their presence near people can be problematic. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/233560), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespula_squamosa). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.