Size & Characteristics: |
Paper wasp adults are about 5/8 to 3/4 in (16-20 mm)
long. Paper wasps have long legs. The middle tibia has 2 apical spurs. |
Color: |
Brownish with yellow markings; some species with reddish markings. |
Geographic Range: |
Various species throughout the United States. |
Comparison with other species: |
Yellowjacket, hornet, potter and mason wasps, and the spider wasp
all share similarities with paper wasps. |
Habitat: |
Paper wasps make paper-like nests with an umbrella-like shape. There
is a single layer of comb with cells that open downward, hanging down
by a single, narrow strand. There is no outer "envelope".
The cells remain open. The thin strand may help keep ants and other
intruders out. Nests are smaller than 6 by 8 inches, with about 150-250
cells. |
Food: |
Paper wasps eat insects and nectar. |
Biology: |
A paper wasp queen that has overwintered begins to build a nest
in the spring. This primary queen nest-builder may be joined by other,
secondary, queens in building and maintaining the nest. The secondary
queens then will not lay eggs. However, if the dominant queen dies,
one of these secondary queens may take over the egg laying, so that
the nest can survive. A single egg is laid in each open cell and the
larvae are fed protein from insects. Later the cells are capped when
the larvae are ready to pupate. |
Invasion: |
Nests are hung from almost any protected structure-twigs and branches
of trees and shrubs, porch ceilings, window and door frames, soffits
and eaves, rafters, deck floor joists, railings. |
Damage: |
Paper wasps are beneficial insects. They feed on many insect pests.
However, they can and do sting when disturbed, which can be a problem
if a nest is touched by someone doing pruning or fruit picking, or
if there is a lot of human activity near a nest. |
