Yellowjackets Trivia

These easy Yellowjackets trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.

1. Question 1

   In what region is the common name "yellowjacket" widely used?

   Answer: North America

   "yellowjacket" is a common name used in North America.

2. Question 2

   Yellowjackets are what kind of social insect: bees, ants, or wasps?

   1. A.Wasps
   2. B.Bees
   3. C.Ants
   4. D.Beetles

   Answer: Wasps

   Yellowjackets are identified is predatory social wasps.

3. Question 3

   The common name yellowjacket applies to wasps in which genus: Vespula or Apis?

   1. A.Apis
   2. B.Formica
   3. C.Bombus
   4. D.Vespula

   Answer: Vespula

   One group of wasps called yellowjackets belongs to the genus Vespula.

4. Question 4

   Besides Vespula, yellowjackets also include wasps in what genus?

   Answer: Dolichovespula

   The name yellowjacket also applies to wasps in the genus Dolichovespula.

5. Question 5

   In many English-speaking countries outside North America, yellowjackets are usually called what?

   Answer: Wasps

   Outside North America, many English speakers simply call yellowjackets wasps.

6. Question 6

   True or false: Yellowjackets are bees.?

   Answer: False

   Yellowjackets are insects, but they are not bees.

7. Question 7

   Are yellowjackets social or solitary wasps?

   1. A.Solitary
   2. B.Parasitic only
   3. C.Wingless
   4. D.Social

   Answer: Social

   Yellowjackets are social rather than solitary wasps.

8. Question 8

   Who is the top egg-layer in a yellowjacket colony?

   Answer: The queen

   A yellowjacket colony includes a queen.

9. Question 9

   Most yellowjackets people notice in summer are what type of colony member?

   Answer: Female workers

   Most yellowjackets seen during summer are female workers.

10. Question 10

    Unlike a honeybee, a yellowjacket can sting how many times?

    Answer: Multiple times

    Yellowjackets can sting multiple times.

11. Question 11

    What color pattern are yellowjackets especially known for?

    Answer: Black-and-yellow markings

    Yellowjackets are known for black-and-yellow body markings.

12. Question 12

    What body feature gives yellowjackets that classic wasp look?

    Answer: Narrow waists

    Yellowjackets have narrow waists typical of wasps.

13. Question 13

    Yellowjackets commonly make nests from what material?

    Answer: Chewed wood fiber

    They commonly build nests from chewed wood fiber.

These family Yellowjackets trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.

1. Question 1

   What helpful job do yellowjackets do by hunting other bugs?

   Answer: They help control other insects.

   Yellowjackets hunt other insects, which helps keep those bug populations in check.

2. Question 2

   Which of these is something yellowjackets often catch?

   1. A.Fish and frogs
   2. B.Grass and flower petals
   3. C.flies and caterpillars
   4. D.Acorns and pine cones

   Answer: Flies, caterpillars, and other small arthropods.

   Yellowjackets commonly capture flies, caterpillars, and other small arthropods.

3. Question 3

   Who gets the chewed-up prey from worker yellowjackets?

   Answer: Larvae.

   Workers chew captured prey before feeding it to the larvae.

4. Question 4

   True or false: Yellowjacket larvae can give sugary secretions back to adult workers.?

   Answer: True

   Larvae can return sugary secretions to adult workers.

5. Question 5

   At the start of a new nest each year, how many queens begin the colony?

   Answer: One single queen.

   A yellowjacket nest is started each year by a single queen.

6. Question 6

   Before any workers are around to help, what does the queen build herself?

   Answer: The first nest cells.

   The queen builds the first nest cells on her own.

7. Question 7

   After the queen’s first helpers grow up, who takes over expanding the nest?

   Answer: The first generation of workers.

   Once the first workers appear, they take over nest expansion.

8. Question 8

   What shape are yellowjacket brood cells?

   Answer: Hexagonal.

   Yellowjackets make hexagonal brood cells.

9. Question 9

   Where do many yellowjacket species set up their nests underground?

   Answer: In old rodent burrows.

   Many species place nests underground in old rodent burrows.

10. Question 10

    Which home spot might some yellowjackets choose: wall voids, attics, or tree branches only?

    1. A.wall voids or attics
    2. B.Tree branches only
    3. C.Inside ponds
    4. D.Under sidewalks only

    Answer: Wall voids or attics.

    Some yellowjackets nest in wall voids or attics.

11. Question 11

    A fully grown yellowjacket colony may have about what kind of worker population?

    Answer: Thousands of workers.

    A mature colony may contain thousands of workers.

12. Question 12

    When the season is ending, what two kinds of yellowjackets does the colony produce?

    Answer: New queens and males.

    At the end of the season, colonies produce new queens and males.

These fun Yellowjackets trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.

1. Question 1

   What is the scientific name of the commonly known eastern yellowjacket?

   Answer: Vespula maculifrons

   The eastern yellowjacket is commonly known is Vespula maculifrons.

2. Question 2

   If a yellowjacket is introducing itself as the western yellowjacket, what scientific name should be on its tiny name tag?

   1. A.Vespula pensylvanica
   2. B.Vespula maculifrons
   3. C.Dolichovespula maculata
   4. D.Vespula germanica

   Answer: Vespula pensylvanica

   The western yellowjacket is the species Vespula pensylvanica.

3. Question 3

   The German yellowjacket goes by which scientific name?

   Answer: Vespula germanica

   The German yellowjacket is named Vespula germanica.

4. Question 4

   In North American usage, which species is often treated as a yellowjacket under the common name 'common wasp'?

   1. A.Vespula germanica
   2. B.Vespula maculifrons
   3. C.Dolichovespula maculata
   4. D.Vespula vulgaris

   Answer: Vespula vulgaris

   The common wasp, Vespula vulgaris, is often treated is a yellowjacket in North American usage.

5. Question 5

   What is the scientific name of the aerial yellowjacket?

   Answer: Dolichovespula arenaria

   The aerial yellowjacket is Dolichovespula arenaria.

6. Question 6

   Despite the dramatic name, which insect is actually a yellowjacket in the genus Dolichovespula?

   1. A.bald-faced hornet
   2. B.German yellowjacket
   3. C.eastern yellowjacket
   4. D.southern yellowjacket

   Answer: bald-faced hornet

   The bald-faced hornet is actually a yellowjacket in the genus Dolichovespula.

7. Question 7

   What is the scientific name of the bald-faced hornet?

   Answer: Dolichovespula maculata

   The bald-faced hornet's scientific name is Dolichovespula maculata.

8. Question 8

   Which scientific name belongs to the southern yellowjacket?

   1. A.Vespula maculifrons
   2. B.Vespula pensylvanica
   3. C.Vespula vulgaris
   4. D.Vespula squamosa

   Answer: Vespula squamosa

   The southern yellowjacket is Vespula squamosa.

9. Question 9

   How do yellowjackets recognize nestmates, at least in part?

   Answer: chemical cues

   Yellowjackets can recognize nestmates partly through chemical cues.

10. Question 10

    When yellowjackets make their papery nests, what do they mix wood fibers with?

    1. A.pollen
    2. B.saliva
    3. C.nectar
    4. D.mud

    Answer: saliva

    Their paper nests are made by mixing wood fibers with saliva.

11. Question 11

    On a busy day, yellowjacket workers may hunt one kind of food and sip another. What two things do they often forage for in the same day?

    Answer: meat and sugar

    Workers often forage both for meat and for sugar in the same day.

12. Question 12

    Yellowjackets tend to get extra noticeable when colonies hit peak size during what part of the year?

    1. A.1984
    2. B.1994
    3. C.2004
    4. D.late summer

    Answer: late summer

    Late-summer yellowjackets become more noticeable is colonies reach peak size.

13. Question 13

    What can a queen lay to start an entire annual yellowjacket colony?

    Answer: eggs

    A queen can lay the eggs that start an entire annual colony.

These funny Yellowjackets trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.

1. Question 1

   At a backyard cookout, what kind of meal are yellowjackets famous for rudely treating like an all-you-can-eat buffet?

   1. A.Drive-through windows
   2. B.Campfire smoke
   3. C.outdoor meals
   4. D.Indoor dinners

   Answer: Outdoor meals.

   Yellowjackets are well known for crashing outdoor meals, especially when food and sugary items are available.

2. Question 2

   Which open drink container can basically send yellowjackets a tiny fizzy invitation?

   1. A.Sealed water bottles
   2. B.Empty coffee mugs
   3. C.Closed thermoses
   4. D.soda cans

   Answer: Open soda cans.

   Open soda cans can attract yellowjackets because of the sweet contents.

3. Question 3

   If yellowjackets had a favorite restaurant with terrible ambiance, which place would fit the bill?

   1. A.Mailboxes
   2. B.Garden hoses
   3. C.Bird baths
   4. D.trash bins

   Answer: Trash bins.

   Trash bins are common feeding spots for yellowjackets.

4. Question 4

   What ground snack can attract foraging yellowjackets even after the tree has clocked out for the day?

   1. A.fallen fruit
   2. B.Pine cones
   3. C.Dry leaves
   4. D.Flower pots

   Answer: Fallen fruit.

   Foraging yellowjackets are drawn to fallen fruit.

5. Question 5

   At the picnic table, which foods are yellowjackets especially likely to investigate like tiny uninvited food critics?

   1. A.meats
   2. B.Plain ice cubes
   3. C.Salt packets
   4. D.Paper napkins

   Answer: Hamburger, hot dogs, and other meats.

   Yellowjackets often investigate hamburger, hot dogs, and other meats.

6. Question 6

   True or false: A yellowjacket usually leaves its stinger behind after stinging.?

   Answer: False

   Yellowjackets do not leave their stingers behind because the stingers are smooth.

7. Question 7

   Why can a yellowjacket sting and still keep its tiny weapon instead of dropping it like a dramatic movie prop?

   Answer: Because its stinger is smooth.

   Their smooth stingers are why yellowjackets do not leave them behind after stinging.

8. Question 8

   If a nest has been disturbed and one yellowjacket starts doing suspicious fly-by security checks, what is that insect likely to be?

   Answer: A guarding worker.

   A guarding worker may circle near a disturbed nest before attacking.

9. Question 9

   What can turn one annoyed yellowjacket into a whole defensive committee?

   Answer: Alarm chemicals.

   Alarm chemicals can recruit more yellowjackets to defend a nest.

10. Question 10

    Which fancy scent might accidentally make a foraging yellowjacket think you are part flower, part bad decision?

    1. A.Sunscreen only
    2. B.Plain soap residue
    3. C.floral perfumes
    4. D.Unscented lotion

    Answer: Bright floral perfumes.

    Bright floral perfumes can sometimes attract foraging yellowjackets.

11. Question 11

    What bait type is often used when humans decide to answer yellowjacket scavenging with a trap and a plan?

    Answer: Protein baits.

    Protein baits are often used to lure scavenging yellowjackets.

12. Question 12

    If you were building a yellowjacket trap with a dessert menu, what kind of trap liquid would be the classic choice?

    Answer: Sweet liquid traps.

    Sweet liquid traps are commonly used against yellowjackets.

13. Question 13

    In what kind of climate can some yellowjacket colonies keep the party going unusually long?

    Answer: Warm climates.

    Some yellowjacket colonies can persist unusually long in warm climates.

These hard Yellowjackets trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.

1. Question 1

   In the classic North American definition, the common name yellowjacket spans how many genera?

   Answer: Two genera.

   In classic North American usage, yellowjacket is not limited to a single genus; it covers two genera.

2. Question 2

   Which pair of genera makes up the classic North American yellowjacket grouping?

   1. A.Vespula and Dolichovespula
   2. B.Vespula and Polistes
   3. C.Dolichovespula and Polistes
   4. D.Vespa and Vespula

   Answer: Vespula and Dolichovespula.

   The classic North American definition names two genera: Vespula and Dolichovespula.

3. Question 3

   North American usage separates yellowjackets from paper wasps placed in what genus?

   Answer: Polistes.

   Paper wasps are distinguished from yellowjackets in North American usage, and the genus named is Polistes.

4. Question 4

   Which solitary wasps are specifically contrasted with yellowjackets in North American usage?

   Answer: Mud daubers.

   North American usage distinguishes yellowjackets from mud daubers, which are solitary wasps.

5. Question 5

   In a typical yellowjacket colony, what is the reproductive status and sex of the workers?

   Answer: They are sterile females.

   Worker yellowjackets in a typical colony are sterile females.

6. Question 6

   Queens and workers come from what kind of eggs in yellowjackets?

   Answer: Fertilized eggs.

   Both queens and workers develop from fertilized eggs.

7. Question 7

   Male yellowjackets most commonly develop from what type of eggs?

   Answer: Unfertilized eggs.

   Male yellowjackets typically develop from unfertilized eggs.

8. Question 8

   Yellowjacket sex determination follows what broader hymenopteran pattern?

   Answer: Haplodiploid.

   The listed fact identifies yellowjacket sex determination is haplodiploid, a pattern common in Hymenoptera.

9. Question 9

   When colonies reproduce, where do new queens go to mate relative to the nest they came from?

   Answer: Away from the natal nest.

   Colony reproduction occurs when new queens leave and mate away from the natal nest.

10. Question 10

    What seasonal change marks the die-off of old queens, workers, and most males?

    Answer: The arrival of cold weather.

    Old queens, workers, and most males die is cold weather arrives.

11. Question 11

    What serious medical response can yellowjacket venom trigger in some people?

    Answer: Severe allergic reactions.

    Yellowjacket venom can provoke severe allergic reactions in some individuals.

12. Question 12

    Which yellowjacket species is specifically noted as having invaded Hawaii?

    Answer: Vespula pensylvanica.

    The listed invasive-range fact specifically says Vespula pensylvanica has invaded Hawaii.

13. Question 13

    In invaded ecosystems, yellowjackets can disrupt native insects and what larger ecological structure?

    Answer: Food webs.

    In invaded areas, yellowjackets can affect native insects and food webs.

14. Question 14

    A subterranean yellowjacket nest doesn’t always have a single doorway. What entrance detail is specifically noted?

    Answer: It may have more than one entrance hole.

    Underground yellowjacket nests may have more than one entrance hole.