Vespula pensylvanica
| Literature database |
|---|
| 24 articles sorted by: |
| • year (recent ones first) |
| • research topics |
| • countries/regions |
Author(s): Eugene Zelenko
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Vespula pensylvanica (de Saussure, 1857) - (western yellowjacket)
The wasp is native to western and some central parts of North America. It is not found in eastern North America, in spite of its name. V. pensylvanica has been accidentally introduced into Hawaii (first record on Kauai Island in 1919) where it became a serious environmental and nuisance pest. A large outbreak occurred in Hawaii in 1978. Eradication efforts in the 1970s failed and the species has spread through 6 main islands of Hawaii. Even in its native range it is considered pestiferous and stings repeatedly. People may develop allergic reactions to the stings.
Introduced colonies have multiple queens whereas native colonies only a single queen. Invasive populations can build up rapidly to extremely large sizes which pose considerable risks to humans and the environment. The wasps are predators and scavengers and feed on other insects, spiders, meat and even slugs. It is attracted to human food and garbage. Control involves mainly the use of toxic baits (e.g. see Hanna et al. 2012).
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Pennsylvanien Wespe |
| • English: | western yellowjacket |
| • Français: | guêpe de l'ouest |
The nest with hexagonal paper cells is build in the ground and can produce thousands of wasps in one year. The adult is 1-1½ cm long. Like other species of Vespula it is yellow with black marks. In V. pensylvanica a complete yellow ring around the eyes is characteristic.
- Other images of Vespula pensylvanica (IPM Images and PaDIL - click to enlarge)
overwintered queen
head
head
head
thorax
thorax
abdomen
