Safety note: Stings in defense of nest — keep distance.
The Aerial Yellowjacket builds large, gray, football-shaped paper nests suspended from tree branches, eaves, and shrubs. It is less aggressive than ground-nesting yellowjackets but will sting when the nest is disturbed. Workers are important predators of caterpillars and other garden pests during the summer months.
Habitat
Forests, suburbs, and gardens with shrubs and trees
Diet
Adults: nectar. Larvae: caterpillars and other soft insects
How common
Common
Recent Aerial Yellowjacket sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Aerial Yellowjacket? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free