Vespula

Vespula is a small genus of social wasps, widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Along with members of their sister genus Dolichovespula, they are collectively known by the common name yellowjackets (or yellow-jackets) in North America. Vespula species have a shorter oculo-malar space (shown in the figure below) and a more pronounced tendency to nest underground than Dolichovespula.

Notable species

Two of the common European species (the German wasp, Vespula germanica and the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris) have been established in North America, southern Africa, New Zealand, and eastern Australia.
The Eastern Yellowjacket, (Vespula maculifrons), and Western Yellowjacket, (Vespula pensylvanica), are native to North America.

Translation

The word "Vespula" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian.

Translation in German: Kurzkopfwespen.