What primary nutritional requirement directs the hunting activity of yellowjackets in early summer?

Answer

Protein, needed to feed developing larvae.

The dietary focus of yellowjackets is intrinsically linked to the developmental needs of the brood within the nest during the spring and early summer. At this stage, the colony is primarily concerned with rearing larvae, and these developing young require substantial amounts of protein to grow. Consequently, adult workers dedicate their foraging efforts to hunting live insects and spiders, or scavenging small pieces of meat. This predatory behavior is naturally advantageous as it helps regulate populations of other insects. Only later in the season, when the larvae development slows and the adult population peaks, does the diet shift to carbohydrates for adult maintenance fuel.

What primary nutritional requirement directs the hunting activity of yellowjackets in early summer?

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