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| binomial_authority = [[Henri Louis Frédéric de Saussure|Saussure]], 1857
| binomial_authority = [[Henri Louis Frédéric de Saussure|Saussure]], 1857
}}
}}
The '''western yellowjacket''' (''Vespula pensylvanica'') is a Nearctic [[species]] of [[wasp]] in the [[genus]] ''[[Vespula]]''. <ref>"Issg Database: Ecology of Vespula Pensylvanica." Issg Database: Ecology of Vespula Pensylvanica. Web. <http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=174&fr=1&sts=>.</ref> <ref>Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print. name="Akre, R"</ref> It is native to regions of North America, largely in areas with north temperate climates. Its reproductive behavior is constrained by cold weather, which successfully reduces the number of western yellowjackets in cold months. In the Hawaiian Islands where the western yellowjacket has become invasive, however, the absence of cold weather has caused a population explosion resulting in the western yellowjacket being a major pest. <ref>Invasive Species in the Pacific: A Technical Review and Draft Regional Strategy. Samoa: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 2000. Print.</ref> <ref>Wilson, E. E., L. M. Mullen, and D. A. Holway. "Life History Plasticity Magnifies the Ecological Effects of a Social Wasp Invasion." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106.31 (2009): 12809-2813. Web.</ref>
The '''western yellowjacket''' (''Vespula pensylvanica'') is a Nearctic [[species]] of [[wasp]] in the [[genus]] ''[[Vespula]]''. <ref>"Issg Database: Ecology of Vespula Pensylvanica." Issg Database: Ecology of Vespula Pensylvanica. Web. <http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=174&fr=1&sts=>.</ref> <ref>name= "Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print." </ref> It is native to regions of North America, largely in areas with north temperate climates. Its reproductive behavior is constrained by cold weather, which successfully reduces the number of western yellowjackets in cold months. In the Hawaiian Islands where the western yellowjacket has become invasive, however, the absence of cold weather has caused a population explosion resulting in the western yellowjacket being a major pest. <ref>Invasive Species in the Pacific: A Technical Review and Draft Regional Strategy. Samoa: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 2000. Print.</ref> <ref>Wilson, E. E., L. M. Mullen, and D. A. Holway. "Life History Plasticity Magnifies the Ecological Effects of a Social Wasp Invasion." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106.31 (2009): 12809-2813. Web.</ref>


==Taxonomy and Phylogeny==
==Taxonomy and Phylogeny==
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==Description and Identification==
==Description and Identification==
''V. pensylvanica'' shares the basic yellow and black pattern with other species of social wasps in the genus ''Vespula''. As a result, ''V. pensylvanica'' is often misidentified. Specifically, ''V. pensylvanica'' closely resembles ''V. germanica''. Though both species have a similar diamond-shaped black mark on the first tergum, ''V. pensylvanica'' can usually be differentiated by the continuous yellow ring (often referred to as an eye-loop) present around each eye. <ref name="Akre, R" />The eye-loop is not always present, however. Though few females lack this distinguishing characteristic, males often do not have the eye-loop. In such cases, ''V. pensylvanica'' can be identified by a spotted mark on the frons below the antenna, a slender aedagus, and a denser apical region of tergum 7. The fore wing length ranges from 8.5-10.5 mm for workers, 12.5-14.5 mm for females, and 12.5-14.0 for males. The fore wing length ranges from 8.5-10.5 mm for workers, 12.5-14.5 mm for females, and 12.5-14.0 for males.<ref>Buck, Matthias, Stephen Marshall, and David Cheung. "Identification Atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the Northeastern Nearctic Region."Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification (2008). Web.</ref>
''V. pensylvanica'' shares the basic yellow and black pattern with other species of social wasps in the genus ''Vespula''. As a result, ''V. pensylvanica'' is often misidentified. Specifically, ''V. pensylvanica'' closely resembles ''V. germanica''. Though both species have a similar diamond-shaped black mark on the first tergum, ''V. pensylvanica'' can usually be differentiated by the continuous yellow ring (often referred to as an eye-loop) present around each eye. <ref>name= "Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print." </ref>" />The eye-loop is not always present, however. Though few females lack this distinguishing characteristic, males often do not have the eye-loop. In such cases, ''V. pensylvanica'' can be identified by a spotted mark on the frons below the antenna, a slender aedagus, and a denser apical region of tergum 7. The fore wing length ranges from 8.5-10.5 mm for workers, 12.5-14.5 mm for females, and 12.5-14.0 for males. The fore wing length ranges from 8.5-10.5 mm for workers, 12.5-14.5 mm for females, and 12.5-14.0 for males.<ref>Buck, Matthias, Stephen Marshall, and David Cheung. "Identification Atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the Northeastern Nearctic Region."Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification (2008). Web.</ref>
Western yellowjackets build large nests made of wood fibers, enclosed in a hexagonal paper envelope with a small 10-30 cm entrance tunnel at the bottom. <ref>Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.</ref> <ref>Landolt, Peter J., and Arthur L. Antonelli. Yellowjackets and Paper Wasps. Washington State U, 2003. Print.</ref> <ref>"Western Yellowjacket (Vespula Pensylvanica)." Plantwise Technical Factsheet. Web. <http://www.plantwise.org/KnowledgeBank/Datasheet.aspx?dsid=56670>.</ref>Nests are usually found 10-15 cm below ground or in other dark cavities, such as rodent burrows. <ref>Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.</ref>
Western yellowjackets build large nests made of wood fibers, enclosed in a hexagonal paper envelope with a small 10-30 cm entrance tunnel at the bottom. <ref>Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.</ref> <ref>Landolt, Peter J., and Arthur L. Antonelli. Yellowjackets and Paper Wasps. Washington State U, 2003. Print.</ref> <ref>"Western Yellowjacket (Vespula Pensylvanica)." Plantwise Technical Factsheet. Web. <http://www.plantwise.org/KnowledgeBank/Datasheet.aspx?dsid=56670>.</ref>Nests are usually found 10-15 cm below ground or in other dark cavities, such as rodent burrows. <ref>Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.</ref>


Revision as of 19:21, 25 September 2014

Western Yellowjacket
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hymenoptera
Suborder:
Apocrita
Family:
Vespidae
Genus:
Vespula
Subgenus:
(Paravespula)
Species:
V. pensylvanica
Binomial name
Vespula pensylvanica
Saussure, 1857

The western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica) is a Nearctic species of wasp in the genus Vespula. [1] [2] It is native to regions of North America, largely in areas with north temperate climates. Its reproductive behavior is constrained by cold weather, which successfully reduces the number of western yellowjackets in cold months. In the Hawaiian Islands where the western yellowjacket has become invasive, however, the absence of cold weather has caused a population explosion resulting in the western yellowjacket being a major pest. [3] [4]

Taxonomy and Phylogeny

V. pensylvanica was originally named by de Sausser in 1857. V. pensylvanica falls into the subgenus Paravespula, within Vespula. Paravespula consists of eleven species, which have been divided into four groups on the basis of morphological differences. V. pensylvanica falls into the same group as V. germanica. [5] With the exception of Allovespula, the sub-genera recognized within Vespula are natural groups. The separation of Rugovespula and Parvespula appears to be monophyletic; however, this is not well established. [6]

Description and Identification

V. pensylvanica shares the basic yellow and black pattern with other species of social wasps in the genus Vespula. As a result, V. pensylvanica is often misidentified. Specifically, V. pensylvanica closely resembles V. germanica. Though both species have a similar diamond-shaped black mark on the first tergum, V. pensylvanica can usually be differentiated by the continuous yellow ring (often referred to as an eye-loop) present around each eye. [7]" />The eye-loop is not always present, however. Though few females lack this distinguishing characteristic, males often do not have the eye-loop. In such cases, V. pensylvanica can be identified by a spotted mark on the frons below the antenna, a slender aedagus, and a denser apical region of tergum 7. The fore wing length ranges from 8.5-10.5 mm for workers, 12.5-14.5 mm for females, and 12.5-14.0 for males. The fore wing length ranges from 8.5-10.5 mm for workers, 12.5-14.5 mm for females, and 12.5-14.0 for males.[8] Western yellowjackets build large nests made of wood fibers, enclosed in a hexagonal paper envelope with a small 10-30 cm entrance tunnel at the bottom. [9] [10] [11]Nests are usually found 10-15 cm below ground or in other dark cavities, such as rodent burrows. [12]

Distribution and Habitat

V. pensylvanica is native across the western half of North America, in temperate zone climates. More precisely individuals have been identified in the Canadian and Transition Zones in western North America. It has been found in all states west of the Rocky Mountains, from Mexico through western Canada. It is also found in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii. [13]V. pensylvanica can be found in open forest, prairies, urban zones, gardens, parkland, meadows, and houses. [14]

Colony Cycle

Colonies are initiated by the queen. After emerging from the diapause when winter ends, the fertilized queen searches for a nest site. When the nest site is located, a small nest is formed. The queen continues to forage for construction materials and food until four to seven workers have emerged. At this point, the queen focuses solely on laying eggs and the nest continues to expand. Between August and September, males and queens are produced, which then leave the nest and mate. The nest begins to decline around this time. The males eventually die, and the inseminated queen begins diapause. The inseminated queen is the only member of the colony to survive winter. [15] [16] Longevity of the workers varied with colony activity and development, with the life span of the earliest born workers averaging 22 days and the latest born workers averaging 40 days. [17] Typically, colonies are monogynous and annual. In these colonies, attempts of other queens to enter result in fierce fighting between the intruder and the residing queen and/or workers. There are, however, reports of perennial colonies that exist, containing numerous queens. Most perennial colonies have larger nests and more individuals. [18]

References

  1. ^ "Issg Database: Ecology of Vespula Pensylvanica." Issg Database: Ecology of Vespula Pensylvanica. Web. <http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=174&fr=1&sts=>.
  2. ^ name= "Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print."
  3. ^ Invasive Species in the Pacific: A Technical Review and Draft Regional Strategy. Samoa: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 2000. Print.
  4. ^ Wilson, E. E., L. M. Mullen, and D. A. Holway. "Life History Plasticity Magnifies the Ecological Effects of a Social Wasp Invasion." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106.31 (2009): 12809-2813. Web.
  5. ^ Archer, Michael E. "Taxonomy, Distribution, and Nesting Biology of The Species of The Genus Paravesupla or The Vespula Vulgaris Species Group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae." Entomologist's Monthly Magazine June 2007: 5-29. Web.
  6. ^ Carpenter, James M. "Phylogenetic Relationships and Classification of the Vespinae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)." Systematic Entomology 12.4 (1987): 413-31. Web.
  7. ^ name= "Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print."
  8. ^ Buck, Matthias, Stephen Marshall, and David Cheung. "Identification Atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the Northeastern Nearctic Region."Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification (2008). Web.
  9. ^ Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.
  10. ^ Landolt, Peter J., and Arthur L. Antonelli. Yellowjackets and Paper Wasps. Washington State U, 2003. Print.
  11. ^ "Western Yellowjacket (Vespula Pensylvanica)." Plantwise Technical Factsheet. Web. <http://www.plantwise.org/KnowledgeBank/Datasheet.aspx?dsid=56670>.
  12. ^ Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.
  13. ^ Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.
  14. ^ "Vespula Pensylvanica: Western Yellowjacket." Encyclopedia of Life. Web. <http://eol.org/pages/240046/details>.
  15. ^ Akre, R. D., and H. C. Reed. "A Polygynous Colony of Vespula Pensylvanica (Saussure) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)." Entomological News 92.1 (1981): 27-31. Web.
  16. ^ Akre, Roger D., Albert Greene, John F. MacDonald, Peter J. Landolt, and Harry G. Davis. Agricultural Handbook Number 552. United States Department of Agriculture, 1981. Print.
  17. ^ Akre, R. D., W. B. Garnett, J. F. MacDonald, A. Greene, and P. Landolt. "Behavior and Colony Development of Vespula Pensylvanica and V. Atropilosa (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)." Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 49.1 (1976): 63-84. Web.
  18. ^ Akre, R. D., and H. C. Reed. "A Polygynous Colony of Vespula Pensylvanica (Saussure) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)." Entomological News 92.1 (1981): 27-31. Web.

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