Eastern Yellowjacket vs Southern Flannel Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Yellowjacket | Southern Flannel Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Vespula maculifrons | Megalopyge opercularis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Megalopygidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 25-36 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf states | Southeastern United States, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Eastern Yellowjacket
A common ground-nesting yellowjacket with bold black and yellow banding on its abdomen. It builds large paper nests underground that can contain thousands of workers.
Did You Know?
Its underground nests can grow to the size of a basketball and contain over 4,000 workers by late summer.
Southern Flannel Moth
A fluffy moth covered in cream to orange-brown fur-like scales. Its larva, called the puss caterpillar, is covered in soft-looking hair that conceals venomous spines.
Did You Know?
The puss caterpillar is considered the most venomous caterpillar in North America, with stings requiring medical attention.