Eastern yellowjacket
The eastern yellowjacket or eastern yellow jacket (Vespula maculifrons) is a wasp found in eastern North America.[1] Although most of their nests are subterranean, they are often considered a pest due to their nesting in recreational areas and buildings.[2] This yellow jacket is a social insect, living in colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals.[3] Along with their subfamily, Vespinae, this species demonstrates supportive parental care for offspring, separation of reproductive and sterile castes, and overlapping generations.[4] They aggressively defend their hives from threats and are known to inflict painful stings.