What segment connects the thorax and abdomen, forming the yellowjacket's narrowed "waist"?
Answer
Petiole
The defining characteristic of the yellowjacket's silhouette, typical of Vespidae wasps, is the extremely narrow constriction between the middle body section (thorax) and the posterior section (abdomen). This slender connection is specifically termed the petiole. This dramatic narrowing is what allows experts to distinguish the yellowjacket from insects with more robust or evenly tapered body plans, such as many beetles or even bumble bees. The term 'waist' is frequently used colloquially to describe this highly constricted petiole.
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