Common Yellowjacket vs Eastern Pondhawk
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Yellowjacket | Eastern Pondhawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Vespula vulgaris | Erythemis simplicicollis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Vespidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 12-17 mm | 55-63 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Gardens | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Australasia | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Common Yellowjacket
An aggressive social wasp with bold black and yellow markings that builds large underground paper nests. Workers are voracious predators of garden pest insects including caterpillars and flies.
Did You Know?
A single colony can consume an estimated 2 kg of insects over a summer, providing significant pest control.
Eastern Pondhawk
A robust skimmer dragonfly where mature males are powdery blue and females are vivid green. It is an aggressive predator that ambushes prey from low perches.
Did You Know?
Eastern pondhawks are fierce predators that regularly attack and eat other dragonflies, including species larger than themselves.