Vespula atropilosa (Sladen, 1918)

Vespinae, Vespidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia

Matthew P. Kweskin

2 Feb 1997


Common Name- The prairie yellowjacket

Identification- Vespula atropilosa is black with yellow markings. The underside of its scape is yellow, as opposed to the scape being all black. The middle black region of the apex of the second gastral tergum is pointed. This differentiates V. atropilosa from V. acadica which has this middle black region of tergum two rounded.

Geography- This species is only found in Western North America.

Natural History (Akre et al., 1980)- V. atropilosa is abundant in prairies and open forests. This species usually has ground nests. They feed mostly on live prey.


Page author: Matthew P. Kweskin kweskm@evergreen.edu
Last modified: 2 Feb 1997