noun
Vespula flaviceps; yellowjacket species
Refers specifically to the yellowjacket species Vespula flaviceps, a ground-nesting wasp. Not a general term for all ground bees or wasps.
See also: 黒雀蜂
地蜂は地面に巣を作ることで知られている。
Vespula flaviceps is known for building its nests in the ground.
A different wasp species (Vespa dybowskii) that is referenced as a cross-reference. 地蜂 is Vespula flaviceps, a yellowjacket, not a hornet.
Compound of 地 (じ, 'ground') and 蜂 (はち, 'bee, wasp'), referring to its ground-nesting habit. The reading じばち is a straightforward combination of the on'yomi of 地 and the kun'yomi of 蜂.