Yellowjacket vs Paper Wasp
Yellowjackets and paper wasps are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. A yellowjacket has smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair, while a paper wasp has long, thin body with a narrow waist.
Side-by-side comparison
| Yellowjacket | Paper Wasp | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps | Bees & Wasps |
| Scientific name | Vespula maculifrons | Polistes spp. |
| Size | 10–16 mm | 16–25 mm |
| Colors | Yellow and Black | Brown, Yellow, Red and Black |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes | Yes |
| Bites or stings | Stings | Stings |
| Risk | Health risk | Can bite or sting |
| Key feature | Smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair | Long, thin body with a narrow waist |
Key differences
- Size: Paper Wasps are larger, reaching 25 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
- Color: Yellowjackets are yellow and black; paper wasps are brown, yellow, red and black.
- Risk: the yellowjacket can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease, while the paper wasp can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects.
- Where found: look for yellowjackets in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants; paper wasps turn up indoors and in gardens and on plants.
- Signature feature: Yellowjackets: smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair. Paper Wasps: long, thin body with a narrow waist.
How to identify yellowjackets
A sleek, bright yellow-and-black wasp that nests underground or in wall voids. Late-summer workers scavenge for sweets and meat and are drawn to picnics and trash cans.
- Smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair
- Narrow waist and wings folded lengthwise at rest
- Rapid side-to-side flight near nest entrances
How to identify paper wasps
A slender wasp with long, dangling legs that builds open, umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves, railings and grills. It hunts caterpillars to feed its young.
- Long, thin body with a narrow waist
- Legs dangle below the body in flight
- Open, uncovered comb nest shaped like an upside-down umbrella
Which one is more dangerous?
The yellowjacket carries more risk. Yellowjackets sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively; multiple stings or an allergy can be dangerous.
Yellowjackets sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively; multiple stings or an allergy can be dangerous. Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellowjackets but will sting to defend their nest.
Where and when you'll see each
Yellowjackets turn up in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants, mostly in summer and fall. Paper Wasps turn up indoors and in gardens and on plants, mostly in spring and summer.
Because they share habitat, you may find both in the same place, so check each individual.
What to do if you find one
Yellowjackets: Keep lids on trash and cover food and drinks outdoors. Read the full removal guide for more.
Paper Wasps: Knock down small starter nests early in spring. Read the full removal guide for more.
Biology: bees & wasps
Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between yellowjackets and paper wasps?
Size: Paper Wasps are larger, reaching 25 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
Which is bigger, a yellowjacket or a paper wasp?
Yellowjacket: 10–16 mm. Paper Wasp: 16–25 mm.
Do yellowjackets or paper wasps bite?
Yellowjackets do not bite and can sting. Paper Wasps do not bite and can sting.
Where are they usually found?
Yellowjackets: in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants. Paper Wasps: indoors and in gardens and on plants.