Are these yellow jackets or wasps? - Ask Extension
I see these bees swarming on a path and entering cracks in the asphalt. They can be aggressive towards each other. Are they a wasp or yellow jacket?...
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Are these yellow jackets or wasps? #878331
Asked July 22, 2024, 6:21 PM EDT
I see these bees swarming on a path and entering cracks in the asphalt. They can be aggressive towards each other. Are they a wasp or yellow jacket? There is also a small black bee that seems to be stuffing prey in the cracks. Maybe the bees are looking in the cracks for the insects put there by the dark bee?
Thank you
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Tom,
They look like the European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula). The black "bee" may not be a bee, particularly if it was carrying prey (bees are vegetarians that get their protein from pollen) been a non-stinging wasp (likely provisioning a nest in the crack with paralyzed insect prey). I am not super familiar with paper wasps, but I do wonder the same thing you do, namely they are trying to take the provisions from the wasp that was making its home in the crack.
Best,
Andony
They look like the European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula). The black "bee" may not be a bee, particularly if it was carrying prey (bees are vegetarians that get their protein from pollen) been a non-stinging wasp (likely provisioning a nest in the crack with paralyzed insect prey). I am not super familiar with paper wasps, but I do wonder the same thing you do, namely they are trying to take the provisions from the wasp that was making its home in the crack.
Best,
Andony
Thank you!
