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Wasp & Hornet Life Stages

Yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets are the most common stinging insects in Philadelphia. Colonies grow from a single overwintered queen and can reach 5,000 workers by late summer.

Stage 1

Queen Emerges

In spring (March-April), a mated queen that overwintered under bark or in soil begins building a golf ball-sized nest from chewed wood pulp.

Stage 2

Egg & Larva

Queen lays a single egg per cell. Larvae are white, legless, and C-shaped. Fed chewed insects by the queen and later by workers. Pupate in 7-9 days.

Stage 3

Pupa

Capped cells contain pupae. Adult features (legs, wings, antennae) develop. Workers emerge in 2-3 weeks. Pupae are temperature-sensitive — nest location is critical.

Worker

Worker Wasp

All-female sterile workers. 12-16mm, yellow-black banding, narrow waist. Forage for protein and sugars. Defensive range 3-10 feet from nest. Sting repeatedly.

Bald-Faced

Bald-Faced Hornet

Larger than yellowjackets (18-20mm), white face and thorax markings. Builds gray paper football-shaped aerial nests. Highly aggressive within 10 feet of nest.

Signs

Nest & Activity Signs

Paper nest in eaves, soffits, trees, or underground. High traffic flight path at a single entry point. Chewed wood on decks = active foragers. Peak aggression: August-October.

Images: Wikimedia Commons — free educational use

Stinging Insects in Philadelphia

Species	Size	Appearance	Nest Type	Aggression
Yellow Jacket	10-16mm	Yellow/black bands, no hair	Underground or wall voids	Very High
Bald-Faced Hornet	15-20mm	Black with white face	Large gray paper nest, trees/eaves	High
European Hornet	25-35mm	Brown/yellow, large	Paper nest in tree hollows	Medium
Paper Wasp	16-20mm	Slender, reddish-brown/yellow	Open umbrella-shaped nest	Medium
Mud Dauber	20-25mm	Slender black waist	Mud tubes on walls	Very Low
Honeybee	13-15mm	Fuzzy, amber/brown bands	Wax combs, hive	Low

Yellow Jackets: Philadelphia's Most Dangerous

Yellow jackets are responsible for most stinging incidents in Philadelphia. They nest underground or inside wall voids and become extremely aggressive when disturbed. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times. Nests peak in late summer at 3,000-5,000 workers.

Never attempt to seal a wall void containing yellow jackets — this drives them inside your home.

Wasps vs. Bees vs. Hornets

Key Visual Differences

Wasps: Smooth, shiny, slender waist, little to no hair
Bees: Fuzzy/hairy body, rounder, carry pollen
Hornets: Large wasps (25mm+), distinctive coloring

⚠ Allergic Reactions

If stung and you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of throat or tongue, dizziness, or hives — call 911 immediately. Anaphylaxis from stings is a medical emergency.

When to Call a Professional

Nest larger than a baseball
Nest near a doorway or high-traffic area
Underground nests (yellow jackets)
Inside wall voids or attic
Anyone in household is allergic
Bald-faced hornet or European hornet nest

Wasp & Hornet Identification in Philadelphia