The Spring Mountains ECHO

"BEE" ADVISED

By Lee Nelson

Fire Prevention Technician

U.S. Forest Service

Visitors to the SMNRA in the late summer and early fall enjoy the autumn colors of Aspen and Rabbit Brush, and during a productive year the bonus of harvesting Pinion Pine nuts. That time of year visitors also notice an abundance of annoying "bees," that while part of the environment, can distract from the more pleasant aspects of hiking and picnicking.

The insect in question is not a "bee", but a wasp known as the Western Yellowjacket (vespula pensylvanica) . Their population fluctuates from year to year, based on their food source which is other insects. This food source population in turn also fluctuates with the availability of water. Now, without going into the El Nino southern occlusion effect on local weather, the conclusion is that it was a productive year for the Western Yellowjacket, with the September population being the season end high, and hence more noticed.

As stated, the food source is primarily insects--just another form of "meat", and therefore the misnomer "meat bees", and their attraction to picnics. As far as "aggressive" goes, they are not similar to the Africanized, or as media puts it, "killer bees". . in fact they are more similar to house flies---pesky. This is not to say that they will not protect their nest or not sting when sat upon, etc.

Nests of the Western Yellowjacket are found in wood, logs, or underground, usually in woodland areas. They are in the paper wasp family, but not to be confused with the Baldfaced Wasp, which is responsible for the paper football shaped nests in trees, and is not found in the SMNRA. A most interesting fact is the differentiation of venom between the Western Yellowjacket and your common honeybee. Honeybees have evolved more potent venom which people (being mammals) have, shall we say, a more distinctive reaction to. Remember that the Yellowjacket's food source was other insects, which it uses it's venom to immobilize. Honeybee's food source is plant nectar/pollen which is gathered with no complaint. The sting of the honeybee has evolved to repel mammals, small and large, and is therefore more potent (medical Dr's and EMT's may want to recall this fun fact).

The best part is the Western Yellowjacket is gone for the season after a hard freeze (sustained 25 degrees F for 3 to 4 hours), and no one "bee"moans their absence.

For more information about insects of the SMNRA contact UNLV entomologist Dr. Will Pratt at (702) 895-1403.