Paper Wasp Vs. Yellow Jacket: Curious Insect Difference Facts For Kids!

Paper wasps and yellow jackets are both two different types of wasps.

Paper wasps are usually reddish-black in color with yellow markings. Yellow jackets are yellow and black in color and are often confused with honey bees. Paper wasps were named after the appearance of their nests, which look like paper. Yellow jackets are known for their distinctive yellow marks.

If you're enjoying our article on these insects so far, why not check out our other fun facts articles about red paper wasps and pangolins vs. armadillos here on Kidadl!

What is the difference between a paper wasp and a yellow jacket?

Appearance-wise, both paper wasps and yellowjackets look very similar but have their differences.

Both have a color scheme of yellow and black and have long, thin abdomens. However, paper wasps have a slightly thinner and longer body. Paper wasps also have noticeably more black on their bodies. One important difference in their appearance is the color orange. Paper wasps have orange legs and orange-tipped antennas. Yellow jackets have black antennas.

Another difference between these sister species is that yellow jackets tuck their legs into their body while flying, whereas paper wasps are lazier while flying and just let their legs hang loosely in the air.

Paper wasps feed on nectar from flowers and dead fruit. They sometimes engage in pollination, but paper wasps don't have fuzzy bodies, and pollen doesn't stick to them easily. Yellow jackets have completely different behavior.

The yellow jacket is commonly known as a picnic pest. They are attracted to protein sources, such as meat, and tend to go after sweet liquids, such as soda and juices, for food. These pests do not engage in pollination and instead go after other insects.

Are paper wasps and yellow jackets related?

Paper wasps and yellow jackets both come from the same family tree called the Hymenoptera.

The Hymenoptera family tree includes wasps, ants, and bees. Under the Hymenoptera family, there is a Vespoidea branch which includes wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets.

Paper wasps have a native North American genus known as Brachygastra and Mischocytarrus, while European paper wasps belong to the genus Polistes. Yellowjackets belong to the genus Vespula. The two insects look very similar, but their behavior is very different from one another.

Do yellow jackets have paper nests?

Almost all yellow jackets build paper nests.

Yellow jacket colonies build paper nests that are usually surrounded by a paper envelope. Yellow jackets build their nests underground by using holes dug by animals or natural openings in the ground.

German yellow jackets like to nest in the walls of houses. Aerial yellow jacket colonies tend to hang their nest from building eaves and tree branches, just like the hornet species known as bald-faced hornets.

Yellow jackets tend to be protective towards their nests, so it best to stay away from a yellow jacket nest if encountered. Yellow jackets that nest underground tend to be more aggressive and violent than other types of yellow jackets.

Are paper wasps helpful or harmful?

Paper wasps are excellent predators of other pests.

They usually feed on caterpillars, corn earworms, armyworms, hornworms, and loopers. Though not efficient, paper wasps can help with pollination to a certain extent. However, paper wasps are not the type of insect that you want in your garden.

Paper wasps are aggressive in nature. They become especially possessive if anything approaches their nest. When dealing with any paper wasp nests, it is best to steer clear of them.

Paper wasps have painful stings, which despite being the least painful out of all wasp stings, still leave a very unpleasant burning sensation. If you come across any paper wasp nests, it is advised to call a pest control professional to get rid of them. If someone gets stung by the pest, it may cause burning, itching, and swelling.

At such times, it is advised to clean the area with soap, apply a cold pack, keep the wound clean, apply a band-aid if required and visit a doctor. It is to be noted that paper wasp stings may also cause an allergic reaction leading to anaphylaxis, so it is best to consult a doctor if anyone is stung.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our article about paper wasps vs. yellow jackets, then why not take a look at our articles on bugs that look like termites or if rabbits can eat tomatoes?