What is the typical nest location for species belonging to the *Vespula* genus?
Underground in abandoned rodent burrows
The genus *Vespula*, which commonly includes the most familiar yellowjackets in North America, exhibits a distinct preference for subterranean nesting sites. These wasps typically excavate or utilize existing empty spaces underground, often taking over abandoned rodent burrows as the foundation for their colony. This contrasts markedly with the habits of their close relatives within the genus *Dolichovespula* (such as the bald-faced hornet), which favor building large, enclosed, aerial nests hidden within dense vegetation or under structures like eaves. This divergence in preferred nesting habitat represents a clear example of different evolutionary strategies utilized within the same family (Vespidae) to mitigate environmental risks and predator exposure.
