Vespula consobrina

Vespula consobrina, commonly known as the blackjacket, is a species of stinging wasp in the family Vespidae, which includes multiple cousin species in the northern hemisphere, such as the German yellowjacket and other social wasps.

Appearance

Queen blackjackets are 17mm in size, while female workers are 10-12mm and males 15-16mm. Blackjacket wasps can easily be identified in the wild by their distinct black and white striped pattern on their abdomen and the white and black coloration.

Habitat and distribution

Blackjackets can be found in all of Canada except Nunavut and in the northern states of the United States. They usually build their nests in abandoned rodent burrows, rotten or fallen trees, and hollow walls and rock cavities. They mostly stay in forested areas, and they rarely come into contact with people.