American Yellowjacket
Vespula alascensis
This record describes Vespula alascensis (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Key to eastern Nearctic Vespula species in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region . Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region . Queen (♀♀) Worker (♀) Male (♂)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Vespinae
- Genus
- Vespula (Ground Yellowjackets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Nearctic - Canada, northern and western U.S., central Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Generally ground nesting.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: V. alascensis was described by Packard (1870).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Vespula alascensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of American Yellowjacket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by cotinis , Beatriz Moisset , Matthias Buck , Ben Coulter , Vespula vulgaris , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About American Yellowjacket
What is American Yellowjacket?
American Yellowjacket (Vespula alascensis) is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify American Yellowjacket?
Key to eastern Nearctic Vespula species in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region . Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region . Queen (♀♀) Worker (♀) Male (♂)
Where is American Yellowjacket found?
Range: Nearctic - Canada, northern and western U.S., central Mexico
What is the life cycle of a American Yellowjacket?
Generally ground nesting.