Eastern Yellow JacketThe Eastern yellow jacket belongs to the genus Vespula. The eastern yellow jacket is a wasp that is most commonly found in eastern North America. A typical eastern yellow jacket will grow to be about half an inch long and weigh around 1/20th of a gram. The eastern yellow jacket are known for their extremely painful sting.
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The eastern yellow jacket has an exoskeleton that covers their 3 main body parts. These 3 main body parts are the head, mesosoma (thorax) and the metasoma (abdomen). The eastern yellow jacket's exoskelton is lightweight to allow for easy flight but also sturdy enough to protect its vital organs. The head of the eastern yellow jacket consists of a powerful jaw and 2 jointed antennae. Attached to the mesosoma are their six jointed legs and the wings. The mesomoma narrows before it reaches the metasoma which contains the eastern yellow jacket's stinger. Along all 3 of these main body parts are black and yellow stripes that give them their 'yellow jacket' name.
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