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Honeybees, Wasps, Hornets, Yellowjackets |
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Yellowjackets are beneficial insects. They
pollinate some flowers that honeybees ignore and they capture insects to
feed their larvae. They seem to be relatively passive for most of the
summer, allowing us to walk and mow over their nests. In autumn they
become more defensive. While Pennsylvania has about ten species of
yellowjacket, the one most likely to attend our picnics is a species that
arrived from Europe a hundred years ago. This one, Vespula germanica, the
German yellowjacket, will sometimes ride right into our mouths on a
sandwich. Yellowjackets seek protein (bits of a dead animal) and sugar
(from a soda can or a flower). To reduce our contacts with yellowjackets,
we can bathe (so we don’t smell dead!) and avoid wearing scented
cosmetics. (by Tim Sterrett)
For detailed information and
illustrations about other bees and wasps, please visit:
Yellowjackets and Paper Wasps
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