What is a common trait of yellow jackets?

Yellow jackets are known for building large, durable colonies, which is a defining characteristic of these social wasps. These colonies can contain anywhere from a few dozen to thousands of individuals, depending on the time of year and the colony's stage of development. The nests are often constructed in hidden locations such as underground or in wall cavities, and they are made from paper-like material created from chewed wood fibers. This social structure allows yellow jackets to work together to gather food, defend their territory, and raise their young, distinguishing them from solitary insect species.

In contrast, solitary insects do not form colonies and instead live and function individually. Feeding habits among yellow jackets involve foraging during the day rather than exclusively at night. Additionally, yellow jackets are capable fliers; they actively hunt for food sources, which can include sugary substances and other insects. Each of these traits highlights why the ability to form large colonies is a common and crucial aspect of yellow jackets' behavior and ecology.