In the milder Southern US climate, what designation is given to the small percentage of Southern Yellowjacket nests that survive the entire winter season?

Answer

Perennial nests

While the general rule for yellowjacket survival is annual colony death, certain geographic areas, specifically the milder southern regions of the US like Mississippi, permit an exception for the Southern Yellowjacket (*Vespula squamosa*). In these environments, a small fraction of established colonies successfully overwinter. These colonies are termed perennial because they span multiple years rather than dying off annually. Perennial nests are significantly more dangerous than standard yearly nests because they do not have to restart from a single queen in the spring; instead, they can accumulate wasps over seasons, potentially reaching enormous sizes containing tens of thousands of individuals, leading to heightened hazard levels.

In the milder Southern US climate, what designation is given to the small percentage of Southern Yellowjacket nests that survive the entire winter season?

Related Questions

What is the approximate foraging radius where 90% of yellowjacket activity occurs around the nest site?What two materials are combined with saliva to create the paper-like substance used by yellowjackets to build their nests?Which specific structural cavity does the nonnative German Yellowjacket (*Vespula germanica*) commonly favor for nesting instead of building underground?Which yellowjacket life stage is the only one guaranteed to survive the winter by hibernating to initiate the next year's colony?Between which hours of the day is the optimal time window for observing yellowjackets actively engaging in foraging flights?What characteristic physical features do yellowjackets lack that differentiate them from honey bees?What specific food requirement do yellowjackets meet using protein sources like meat or fish when baiting for tracking purposes?In the milder Southern US climate, what designation is given to the small percentage of Southern Yellowjacket nests that survive the entire winter season?What common underground nesting site, often associated with burrowing mammals, is the preferred location for the Eastern Yellowjacket (*Vespula maculifrons*)?When marking a suspected underground yellowjacket nest entrance, where must a flag or rock be placed relative to the actual hole?
locationinsectyellowjacketwasp