A yellow jacket is a wasp that is often confused with hornets. They are typically about 0.47″ long and have yellow and black bands on their abdomens. They have been reported to reach sizes of about 2 inches which is very typical of the queen yellow jacket wasp. Yellow jackets are sometimes called bees since they are similar in size and general color as the honey bee, however, a yellow jacket is actually a wasp. Yellow jackets have a rapid, side to side flight pattern prior to landing. These insects are predatory and aggressive but only if they feel threatened.

Yellow Jackets’ closest relatives are hornets which they closely resemble due to their larger heads. Their large eyes expand to the back of their heads. This species first appeared in Ohio in 1975. Interestingly enough, the yellow jacket wasp shares traits with both bees and ants because their heads resembles those of ants.

In New Jersey and the surrounding North Eastern states, the most common wasps are yellow jackets, hornets and paper wasps. Yellow jackets are the most recognizable since their color resembles that of bees. Paper wasps are brownish-black and get their name from what they use to build their nests with. They are 22 species in North America.