The species is distinguishable by its light coloring, unique single comb nests, and nocturnal nature.

Unlike most Vespidae wasps, Apocia flavissima queens are smaller than their worker counterparts which results in unique intraspecies relationships.

[2] A. flavissima typically have a mesoscutum (the middle thoracic segment of the insect) that is dark yellow with outstanding bristles.

[1] Unlike most wasp species, A flavissima exhibit a morphological caste difference in which the queen is smaller than workers in overall size and in other notable measurements.

Queens typically have a darker brown frons, clypeus, and mandible, while workers exhibit a light yellow coloring.

[4] Young nests tend to appear hexagonal and grow by curving downward and becoming increasingly rounded and oval.

The species can be primarily found in Panama, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

A. flavissima differ from many other wasp species during this emigration because some males swarm along with females during this flight.

Since A. flavissma are observed to be dormant during the day, the species appears to have developed a behavior to regulate the temperature of the nest.

Since it is often believed that workers rear the young of the queen altruistically due to relatedness of females, this fluctuation may lead to conflicts between castes in large nests.

Apoica flavissima is observed to survive primarily on nectar brought back to the nest to feed young and queens during night foraging.

Most of the materials brought back to the nest are given to a small collection of nest-mates who are tasked with distributing the food to feed both larvae and other adults.

[7] Recent studies have indicated that Apoica flavissima may also exhibit necrophagy, or the consumption of flesh, on larger vertebrates and invertebrate carcasses.

Wasps in the family Trigonalidae are known for their parasitic nature, relying on hosts to ingest their eggs or provide homes for their young.

[9] A. flavissima appear to be subject to the latter, acting as a secondary host to trigonalid species who invade the nest and grow their young.