I love camping, but it seems no matter where we pitch our tent a long list of insects and flying things are sure to follow. It’s like when you park your car as far away from the store or mall as possible to prevent getting dinged, only to come out to find someone parked right beside you. It’s just a fact of life. I know many people who view winged creatures of the stripey kind as a threat, allergies or not. Because of this, it’s not surprising an online “guide” to “yellow stripey things” is getting a lot of attention. Whether the chart is fact-filled is yet to be seen. The bottom line is, it nails the personality of each little bugger perfectly. Here’s my list of yellow stripey things from cutest to most menacing!
Bumble Bee
Adorable, furry, and plenty of fun, the bumblebee is the most humble and friendliest of the yellow striped brigade. Thought of as a “flying panda” this is the inspiration for all things beautiful in the garden, not as attractive and boasty as a butterfly but far more cumbersome in flight. It’s an industrious little pollinator making him all the more likable.
Dirt Dauber
Personally, these things terrify me, as they have awful, long back legs that are disturbing. Apparently, there’s no need to worry about them as they only sting spiders. Just seeing the way they burrow in the ground makes me shiver, but that’s their thing — they’re literally dirt daubers.
Honey Bee
While this little guy will sting you in a pinch, he’ll avoid it at all costs because he can only sting once and then he dies. As the name insinuates, the honey bee produces honey, tries hard to be friendly unless provoked and also pollinates like crazy to make him doubly useful.
Carpenter Bees
This is where the stripes get a little less cute and become more aggressive. However, this guy is all angry buzz and no action. While the females can sting, they rarely do. They’ll get caught in your gazebo nets and try their hardest to fly through glass, but in the long run, they prove to be nothing but a nuisance. Like the guest that never leaves eating up all your chips.
Cicada Killer
It sounds terrifying and looks pretty menacing, but the truth is, it likes to eat cicadas and isn’t much interested in you. It will sting you on rare occasions, but all in all, he’s pretty harmless.
Hoverfly
This is a non-stinger but looks like they intend to harm you. They follow you like a puppy and buzz in your ear the whole time. You’re more likely to encounter them in an open field than in your backyard, unless of course your backyard is an open field!
Paper Wasp
These guys will sting you if you try to defend your space. In fact, they’ll bug you even more if you swat at them much like an annoying little brother (or a guy with a crush on someone out of their league). And by the way when they sting you it will hurt like hell. They really don’t care if you were there first, and will make it clear they don’t like sharing. All in all, it’s best to leave well enough alone and try to ignore them. Much like a guy with a crush.
Yellow Jacket
Just the name sends shivers up the spine, and there’s a good reason for it. This guy likes to sting and will do it just because they want to. It doesn’t need provoking; it just needs to decide it doesn’t like you.
This guide is half entertainment and half solid advice on whether you should use the flight or fight approach when you encounter these yellow yellow stripey things in your path.