Dolichovespula arenaria, also known as the Common Aerial Yellowjacket, is widely distributed in the North American continent, commonly found in forested areas.  They are important pollinators that contribute to the production of certain fruits.  They transfer pollen as they forage for nectar.  The wasp can also be a biological control agent as it helps to reduce populations of pests that damage crops.  

 

Like the other yellowjackets, the D. arenaria is eusocial, meaning it lives in a colony with a division of labor and cooperative care of the young.  The colony consists of a queen, who is the only fertile female, and workers, who are sterile females.  The queen has the ability to control the sex of the offspring through haplodiploid sex determination, laying fertilized or unfertilized eggs.  Early in the season she typically produces female workers who help build the nest and forage for food.  As winter approaches, she starts to produce males and future queens.  The queens overwinter.  

 

The Aerial Yellowjackets builds their nests by transforming chewed wood into a paper-like substance, which is why they are considered paper wasps.  The nests are usually located above the ground, on trees, shrubs, or buildings, hence the name “aerial”.