Difference Between Yellow Jackets and Hornets

The insects can be tiny that an individual can’t even see them at first glance, but they can be a hell dangerous depending upon their type, species, and characteristics. They have different harms, some limited to the pain, and others can be limitless to the death. People with allergies and infections are needed to be more careful around these creatures as they can affect them more than any ordinary individual.

Yellow Jackets vs Hornets

The main difference between Yellow Jackets and Hornets is the pattern in which they live. Both of them, like bees, live in colonies but the place chose by both of them is different from each other. Hornet makes their nests above the ground whereas yellow jackets are known to build their home below the ground which makes them different.

The category of yellow jackets is commonly known as wasps. It is just that in North America, it is known as Yellowjackets. They belong to the predatory class of social wasps. The general from which these yellow jackets belong are Vespula and Dolichovespula.

The hornets are the biggest community of wasps known around in the world. They look almost similar to yellow jackets. Their maximum length can be up to 5.5 cm. They make their nest by contributing to the chewing process of woods and then converting it into paper pulp.

Comparison Table Between Yellow Jackets and Hornets

What are Yellow Jackets? 

The category of yellow jackets is commonly known as wasps. It is just that in North America, it is known as Yellowjackets. They belong to the predatory class of social wasps. The genera from which these yellow jackets belong are Vespula and Dolichovespula. The distinction of these creatures is only possible with the difference in their appearances. Yellowjackets contain yellow stripes on their body. The other factor which can be possible to determine whether it is a yellow jacket or Hornet is the size. The color blind people should know that Yellowjackets are apparently tiny in size as compared to the Hornet. 

Most of the Yellowjackets make their nest and residence area inside of the ground but can still choose wall voids of our home. They fall under the category of high predators in pests insects. All the females of their community can make you go through pain as they all can sting you. They live in colonies and consist of members in three categories. The categories follow, like queen, workers, and males. Males can also be known as drones. 

What are Hornets?

The hornets are the biggest community of wasps known around in the world. They look almost similar to yellow jackets. Their maximum length can be up to 5.5 cm. They make their nest by contributing to the chewing process of woods and then converting it into paper pulp. The distinction of these creatures is only possible with the difference in their appearances. Hornet doesn’t contain any yellow strips or color on their body. The other factor which can be possible to determine whether it is a yellow jacket or Hornet is the size. The color blind people should know Hornet is apparently larger in size as compared to the Yellowjackets.

Hornet’s body is produced black in color. Hornets prefer their nests in the bushes and trees for residence but can also be found at your home. They live in colonies and consist of members in three categories. The categories follow, like queen, workers, and males. Males can also be known as drones.

The queen bee lays eggs because females cannot produce fertile eggs for the purpose of reproduction.

Main Differences Between Yellow Jackets and Hornets

1. The main difference between Hornets and Yellowjackets is the pattern in which they live. Both of them, like bees, live in colonies but the place chose by both of them is different from each other. Hornet makes their nests above the ground whereas yellow jackets are known to build their home below the ground which makes them different.
2. The distinction of these creatures is only possible with the difference in their appearances. Yellowjackets contain yellow stripes on their body, whereas Hornet doesn’t contain any yellow strips or color on their body.
3. The other factor which can be possible to determine whether it is a yellow jacket or Hornet is the size. The color blind people should know that Yellowjackets are apparently tiny in size as compared to the Hornet, whereas Hornet is apparently larger in size as compared to the Yellowjackets.
4. Yellowjackets are not made with the whole black body; instead of that, they have yellow stripes on them, whereas Hornets’ body is black in color.
5. Most of the Yellowjackets make their nest and residence area inside of the ground but can still choose wall voids of our home, whereas Hornets prefer their nests in the bushes and trees for residence but can also be found at your home.

Conclusion  

The knowledge of such insects can save you from highly dangerous situations in the future. Basic knowledge can help in recognition of the creature, which can help in further treatments to avoid severe conditions. It is hard to believe that these tiny creatures can be a life threat to the human species, but anything is possible. People with bad reactions to their stings are evidently got admitted many times and, in rare cases, lost their lives too. To avoid these situations, the difference between these should be known.

References 

1. https://www.jimmunol.org/content/150/7/2823.short
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0091674985900405