Species guide
Common yellowjacket
Can bite or stingVespula vulgaris
How to recognise it
A wasp with bright yellow-and-black bands, a pinched waist, and a fast, darting flight — often aggressive around food and bins.
Is it dangerous?
Stings repeatedly and defends its nest aggressively. Stings are painful for anyone and a medical emergency for people who are allergic.
Commonly confused with
- Paper wasp — more slender, longer legs dangling in flight
What to do
Stay calm and don't swat near a nest. Seek urgent care for any sign of an allergic reaction (swelling, trouble breathing).
Recorded 78,623 times in the wild worldwide.
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