ALLERGY AND ASTHMA IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES 

Yellow Jacket - Vespula spp 
 
Bright yellow and black markings, no hair.   Nests in holes in the ground, cavities in walls, etc, 500-5,000 workers/colony.  Scavenges on food:  the "picnic pest."   It can sting several times with its smooth stinger.   Can cause dangerous stings in the throat if swallowed after it has invaded a soda can or bottle. 
 
 image of ellow jacket eating unprotected food yellow jacket image #2 
  Photographs courtesy of Bob Matthews PhD (left) and Roger Akre PhD (right)
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