The
eastern yellow jacket or
eastern yellowjacket (
Vespula maculifrons) is a
wasp found in eastern
North America. Although most of their nests are subterranean, they are often considered a pest due to their nesting in recreational areas and buildings. This yellow jacket is a
social insect, living in colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals. Along with their subfamily,
Vespinae, this species demonstrates supportive parental care for offspring, separation of reproductive and sterile
castes, and overlapping generations. They aggressively defend their hives from threats and are known to inflict painful stings.