ABSTRACT
The pest status of yellowjackets, wasps and hornets is based primarily on their threatening behavior and the potential of receiving a painful sting. The colony defense behavior of swarming in large numbers to attack an intruder, and the sting, provides considerable pest status in the human environment. Wasps and hornets are among the relatively few arthropods established in the human environment that can inflict severe pain. Their pest status is achieved on an individual and colony basis, since one wasp or hornet can usually sting several times, and a group attack may actually threaten human life. Recreation areas such as campsites, small amusement parks and large theme parks often have serious problems with yellow jackets and umbrella wasps. The number of patrons in these areas is reduced when the abundance of stinging Hymenoptera increases. A wasp sting for most people produces a small swelling, a little pain and some irritation of the skin in the region of the sting.
