Most people are familiar with yellow jackets, as they are a common type of wasp that often buzzes around picnics and outdoor events. What many people don’t realize, however, is that there is a big difference between a yellow jacket queen and a drone. Here is a look at the key differences between these two types of insects.
Size
One of the most obvious differences between a yellow jacket queen and a drone is size. A queen is much larger than a drone, measuring about half an inch in length. A drones, on the other hand, are much smaller, measuring just a quarter of an inch in length.
Role in Colony
Another key difference between these two insects is their role in the colony. A yellow jacket queen is responsible for starting and leading the colony. She mates with drones and lays eggs that will hatch into workers. Drones, on the other hand, do not play any role in leading the colony. Their only purpose is to mate with the queen. Once they have fulfilled this purpose, they are killed or banished from the colony.
Appearance
Another way to tell these two types of insects apart is by their appearance. Yellow jacket queens have a bright yellow head with black stripes running down their back. Their bodies are mostly black with some yellow stripes. Drones also have a yellow head, but their bodies are entirely black.
What is a Yellow Jacket Queen?
A yellow jacket queen is the reproductive female in a colony of social wasps. The primary function of the queen is to lay eggs, but she also regulates the colony, determining when they should mate and when they should build their nests. Yellow jacket queens can live for several years, while drones (the males) only live for a few weeks.
What is a Drone?
A drone is a male bee that is born without a sting and cannot gather nectar or pollen. Drones mate with the queen bee and die in the process. Their sole purpose is to mate with the queen and they do not perform any colony duties.
Yellow Jacket Queen vs Drone
There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to yellow jackets, especially since there are so many different types of them. One of the main questions people have is what is the difference between a yellow jacket queen and a drone.
The biggest difference between a yellow jacket queen and a drone is that the queen is able to reproduce, while drones cannot. The queen is also typically much larger than the drones. Drones also have different functions within the yellow jacket colony – they mainly help with producing more offspring and gathering food.
Conclusion
After learning about the similarities and differences between yellow jacket queens and drones, it is up to you to decide which type of insect you would rather have in your home. If you are looking for an insect that will help you with pollination and honey production, then the queen is the way to go. However, if you are more interested in an insect that will protect your home from pests, then the drone is the better choice.