Common Yellowjacket vs Scarlet Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Yellowjacket | Scarlet Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Vespula vulgaris | Crocothemis erythraea |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Vespidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 12-17 mm | 52-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Gardens | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Australasia | Europe, Africa, Asia |
| 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.
Scarlet Skimmer
A medium-sized dragonfly where males are entirely vivid scarlet red, including the veins of the wings. It is one of the most recognizable dragonflies in the Old World.
Did You Know?
The scarlet skimmer has been expanding rapidly into northern Europe, establishing breeding populations in countries where it was previously unknown.