| Photo Information |
Copyright: Amir Jafary (amirsun)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 27 W: 15 N: 23]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-s-s.gif) (649) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-05-19 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 |
| Exposure: f/6.5, 1/320 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-07-26 9:44 |
| Viewed: 1039 |
| Points: 10 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Yellow jacket
Vespula germanica
FAMILY
Vespidae
TAXONOMY
Vespa germanica Fabricius, 1793.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: German wasp; Spanish: Chaqueta amarilla, avispa chaqueta
amarilla, avispa carnívora, avispa alemana.
Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia 423
Order: Hymenoptera Vol. 3: Insects
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body length of 0.41–0.80 in (10.5–20.3 mm). Black antennae
and yellow and black body, with black arrowhead-shaped
markings pointing backward along the top of the abdomen and
black spots on either side.
DISTRIBUTION
Worldwide, including Europe, northern Africa, and temperate
Asia. It was introduced into Canada, the United States, New
Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, Argentina, and Chile.
HABITAT
These wasps thrive in urban areas; their liking for fruit, meat,
and sweets brings them into contact with people.
BEHAVIOR
Eusocial. These wasps live in hidden nests, which are either
underground or in the wall cavities or ceilings of buildings. A
mature nest is the size of a football and is constructed of a papery
material. The combs are covered completely with a
balloon-like envelope. Adult forms include fertile females
(queens), workers (females, usually sterile), and fertile males. In
late summer, colonies produce new queens and males. After
mating, these new queens go into hibernation. Males and
workers do not survive the winter. The following spring the
queen emerges from hibernation and searches for a suitable
nesting site. She then collects wood or other vegetable fiber
from shallow cells. Females cooperate in nesting, exhibiting reproductive
division of labor.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Adults forage for meats, sweets, and fruits. The larvae are fed
by the workers with masticated portions of animal matter and,
at times, with fruit juices, nectar, and honeydew.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
The queen lays an egg in each cell and then protects the resulting
larvae, feeding them daily. After 12–18 days the larvae
spin cocoon caps over their cells and transform into pupae.
When adults emerge about 12 days later, they serve as the first
brood of workers, and the queen resumes egg laying.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN. |
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