Aerial Yellowjacket
Dolichovespula arenaria
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
Idaho Bugs and Insects That Sting or Bite
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
This page lists 13 insects. 11 are venomous by official accounts. 3 are nonnative.
Not every species: no complete official list of Idaho insects exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.
Which insects can hurt you
Official sources single out these insects in Idaho, in their own words:
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Photo: Flocci Nivis · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons German Yellowjacket
High sting hazard (UI Extension). “It poses a high sting hazard to people because it also aggressively scavenges meats and sweets” University of Idaho Extension
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Yellowjackets, hornets and paper wasps
Stings. “Systemic allergic reactions to sting venoms occur in 1%–3% of the population” University of Idaho Extension
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Mosquitoes
Carry West Nile virus (Idaho DHW). “Mosquitoes transmit the West Nile virus (WNV).” Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Ticks (arachnids, not insects)
Official sources single out these ticks in Idaho, in their own words:
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Ticks
Disease. “In Idaho, public health officials are most concerned about West Nile virus from mosquitoes and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, and tularemia from ticks.” Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
All 13 insects
Venomous species first, then A to Z. Do not handle them.
Bald-Faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
- Size
- Missouri: workers 1/2 to 3/4 inch, queens 3/4 inch. University of Maryland: workers 5/8 to 3/4 inch, queens just over an inch. Penn State gives 13 to 20 mm for the queen and her offspring.
- How to recognize it
- Not yellow, unlike typical yellowjackets; larger, black and ivory
- Large, rounded, gray paper nest hanging in trees or shrubs, sometimes on buildings
- Nest entrance is the lowest opening of the cone- or egg-shaped nest
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo of Common Yellowjacket
Common Yellowjacket
Vespula vulgaris
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula
- Where in Idaho
- Statewide. University of Idaho Extension
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
German Yellowjacket
Vespula germanica
- Danger to people
- “It poses a high sting hazard to people because it also aggressively scavenges meats and sweets” University of Idaho Extension
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo of Golden Paper Wasp
Golden Paper Wasp
Polistes aurifer
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo of Northern Paper Wasp
Northern Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo
Sphecius grandis
What the sources say
Venom: “They provision their nests with live insects and spiders that they paralyze with venom by stinging their prey item.” (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo
Sphecius convallis
What the sources say
Venom: “They provision their nests with live insects and spiders that they paralyze with venom by stinging their prey item.” (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo of Velvet ants (wasps)
Velvet ants (wasps)
Dasymutilla spp.
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
Habitat: Sunny, sandy ground, especially rangeland and canyon habitats. (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo of Western Yellowjacket
Western Yellowjacket
Vespula pensylvanica
What the sources say
Venom: “Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.” (University of Idaho Extension)
No confirmed photo of Harvester ants
Harvester ants
Pogonomyrmex spp.
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Adults about 1/3 to 1/2 inch long (WSDA); 7/16 inch (Kentucky); 3/8 inch long and 1/4 inch wide (Iowa State).
- How to recognize it
- Row of five white hair tufts on each side of the abdomen
- Leaves eaten between the veins look lace-like (skeletonized)
When insects are active in Idaho
Records of insects in Idaho peak in July to August. They show when people record insects, not how many there are (about month bars).
- Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare:
- Rattlesnake country: wear tall leather boots and long loose pants; do not lift anything a snake could be under with your hands. Idaho Department of Fish and Game
- Mosquitoes and ticks: use EPA-approved repellent on skin and clothing (Idaho DHW). Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
How to report
Invasive species: Idaho Invasive Species Hotline 1-877-336-8676 (ISDA). Wildlife crimes: Citizens Against Poaching 1-800-632-5999 (IDFG). Bear sightings and conflicts: report to the state wildlife agency (IDFG regional offices). Idaho State Department of Agriculture
About this list
The species list comes from No official complete list; stinging and commonly asked insects from UI Extension BUL 852 and BUL 853, ISDA and Idaho DHW (University of Idaho Extension, BUL 852 page June 22, 2026; BUL 853 page October 23, 2025). 5 more entries come from other official sources named on each card.
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
"Nonnative" and "Invasive" follow the wording of the source list. See invasive species in Idaho.
Sources
- About Fish and Game. Idaho Department of Fish and Game. archived copy, captured September 23, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- Homeowner’s Guide to Yellowjackets, Bald-Faced Hornets, and Paper Wasps (BUL 852). University of Idaho Extension. June 22, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“It poses a high sting hazard to people because it also aggressively scavenges meats and sweets”
“Systemic allergic reactions to sting venoms occur in 1%–3% of the population”
- Homeowner Guide to Idaho’s Arachnids Around the Home and Field (BUL 1094), Chris A. Hamilton. University of Idaho Extension. September 1, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Spiders, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and wasps are all venomous.”
- Homeowner Guide to Minor Stinging Insects (BUL 853). University of Idaho Extension. October 23, 2025 (publication page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“They provision their nests with live insects and spiders that they paralyze with venom by stinging their prey item.”
- Idaho Japanese Beetle Project. Idaho State Department of Agriculture (Invasive Species of Idaho program). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
- Bug bites aren’t just annoying; they can also make you sick! (DHW Voice). Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. May 29, 2024; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“Mosquitoes transmit the West Nile virus (WNV).”
“For both mosquitoes and ticks, use insect repellent approved by the EPA on exposed skin and clothing.”
- Avoid getting bitten: Mosquitoes and ticks can cause serious illness (DHW Voice). Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. May 31, 2022; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“In Idaho, public health officials are most concerned about West Nile virus from mosquitoes and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, and tularemia from ticks.”
“…particularly during dusk and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active.”
- Snakes can be our friend (press release, Jerome). Idaho Department of Fish and Game. archived copy, captured September 3, 2024; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“If you are working or playing in rattlesnake country, it's good practice to wear tall, leather boots, and long, loose pants.”
- Invasive Species / Pests / Invertebrates. Idaho State Department of Agriculture (Invasive Species of Idaho program). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Idaho Invasive Species Hotline [toll-free]: 1-877-336-8676”
- GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.