Vespinae
Guides
Vespula maculifrons
Eastern yellowjacket, Eastern yellow jacket
Vespula maculifrons is a social wasp native to eastern North America, commonly known as the Eastern yellowjacket. It is among the most aggressive stinging insects in its range, known for vigorously defending nests and delivering painful stings with minimal provocation. Colonies are typically founded by a single queen in spring and can grow to contain thousands of workers by late summer. The species is polyandrous, with females mating with multiple males, and exhibits cooperative colony dynamics without significant reproductive conflict among patrilines.