The Yellow Jacket is a predatory insect that builds a large nest to house the colony in Carmel Indiana. These bee-sized social wasps are black with yellow markings on the front of the head and yellow banding around the abdomen. The face is primarily yellow with dark eyes. Front wings of Vespidae are folded lengthwise when at rest. Due to their size, shape and coloration these wasps are sometimes mistaken for bees. 

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Yellow Jackets are common visitors to picnics and parks in the summer as they are attracted to meat, fruit and sweet drinks.

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Yellow jackets are social insects that live in large colonies. The queen, drones and worker all have specific tasks to help support the colony. The queen lays hundreds of eggs. The male drones' main function is to be ready to fertilize a receptive queen. Workers do all the different tasks needed to operate and maintain the nest. 

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All social wasps are capable of producing a painful sting, but none leave the stinger embedded in the skin, as do honey bee workers. Most stings occur when the colony is disturbed. The objective is for the wasps to protect the nest site. Yellow Jackets are very protective of their colony and will attack if someone approaches within a few feet of the nest. 

 

Yellow jackets have a smooth stinger, so they can sting more than once and the sting can be very painful.