What specific nutrient do yellowjacket larvae require for rapid growth?
Answer
Protein
The survival and growth of yellowjacket larvae are entirely dependent on a high-protein diet. Adult female yellowjackets act as tireless hunters, focusing their efforts on capturing insects and arthropods such as spiders, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. This protein-rich prey is then masticated by the adults and brought back to the nest specifically to fuel the rapid development of the young larvae. This dietary requirement fundamentally separates the needs of the developing brood from those of the adult wasps.
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