Loads of Yellow Jackets (Vespidae)
Observation: Loads of western yellow-jackets (Vespidae) everywhere this summer. Most seem non-aggressive, but they are literally everywhere.
Cooperative Extension Service Consult: Jessie Moan, Statewide IPM Technician writes, "Yes, it seems yellow jacket populations are healthy this year! In general, warmer drier conditions tend to favor these types of insects." University of Alaska Fairbanks
LEO says: Beneficial Insects and Spiders of Alaska: Yellowjackets are social wasps living in colonial nests above or below ground. Some species are nuisance pests when their stinging and scavenging behavior puts them in contact with humans. The group as a whole is considered beneficial. They are efficient pollinators and voracious predators. Workers feed on nectar, but will eat flies, aphids, caterpillars and other pests. The larvae are fed chewed insects by workers. The colony can consume vast numbers of insects. There are 11 species of yellowjackets reported from Alaska. Source: University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service (UAF-CES). M. Tcheripanoff
Resource:
- A listing of insects and other bugs that can be found in the Insect Identification database for the state of Alaska via InsectIdentification for the casual observer.
Media: Alaska Dispatch News article: Whether-mowing-lawns-or-chasing-pokemon-Alaskans-beware-wasps-and-bees-are-bad-this-summer
Observations From Members