Interaction with other species Eastern yellowjacket

1 interaction other species

1.1 diet
1.2 predators
1.3 parasites
1.4 commensals

interaction other species
diet

v. maculifrons polyphagous species, meaning feed on variety of foods. number of trips worker makes forage depends on age of worker, size of nest, since more food necessary feed larger nest. workers dedicated foraging capable of olfactory learning, allowing them distinguish odors specific food. workers use ability scavenge dead insects such earwigs , fall webworm larvae, live arthropods. frugivores, obtaining carbohydrates fruits, nectar, , honeydew. workers go flowers in attempt catch insects, end feeding on nectar , pollinating flower while doing so. feed on honeydew, sweet, sticky liquid. however, honeydew susceptible fermentation, causing individuals feed on become inebriated , unable fly or walk. since species attracted sugar sources, may attracted soft drinks or other foods consumed humans. adults feed larvae chewed paste made other insects , carrion.

predators

v. maculifrons has many predators; mammals larger wasps, such raccoons, black bears, , skunks. raccoons have been found 1 of main predators in georgia , indiana. consume colony, raccoons dig uncover nest, distribute brood cells, , scrape individual broods away cell using teeth. dolichovespula maculata, hornet species, predator of v. maculifrons , other yellowjacket species. predation of v. maculifrons may occur on other wasp species due shallow depths , fragile envelopes of nests.

parasites

vespula squamosa common parasite of v. maculifrons, though facultative, means can live both independently , parasitically. 80% of v. squamosa colonies parasitic, can determined if v. maculifrons workers present or if nest has characteristics of v. maculifrons nest, such typical small, tan cells. however, parasitic colonies not frequent in areas of unobstructed forest. in colonies become parasitic, v. squamosa queen forcibly takes control of nest host queen. then, host colony’s workers raise first brood of v. squamosa, until own workers mature. eventually, v. maculifrons workers die out.

commensals

commensalism, relationship 1 organism benefits living on or organism without harm, occurs 2 species of muscid flies: fannia canicularis, commonly known lesser house fly, , dendrophaonia querceti. females of both species lay eggs directly on outer portion of nest envelope. when eggs hatch, larvae fall soil below nest, waste products , debris fall. larvae feed on waste, thereby preventing waste , debris buildup under nest.