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Photo#20516
Large Wasp - Vespula squamosa

Large Wasp - Vespula squamosa
Henryetta, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, USA
June 15, 2005
Size: aprox. 22mm

Images of this individual: tag all
Large Wasp - Vespula squamosa Large Wasp - Vespula squamosa

Southern Yellowjacket (Vespula squamosa) queen
This one picture is especially worthy, because it shows at once the back of the thorax (with the yellow stripes on the mesoscutum), the front side of the gaster and the face of the insect. The other one (left) is also interesting, by showing how a spring queen's gaster is depleted compared with a fall queen's gaster. Avidly licking the leaves for honeydew or sweet exudates, this female was certainly rather hungry, having not fled away when photographed. Congratulations anyway!

 
Southern Yellowjacket Queen
Thank You Richard for the ID.
This also answers my question of why the wasps were interested in my oak tree at all.

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