Between which hours of the day is the optimal time window for observing yellowjackets actively engaging in foraging flights?
Answer
10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Successful tracking of yellowjackets back to their nest requires observing them during peak activity, often referred to as their "bee-line" flights. These straight-line trips between the food source and the nest occur most consistently when ambient temperatures are higher and solar radiation is maximized, driving foraging behavior. This favorable window is generally identified as being between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon, provided the weather conditions are cooperative. Observing them outside this range, such as very early morning or late evening, is less likely to yield consistent flight path data necessary for tracing the route back to the hidden nest entrance.
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