Are Queen Wasps Bigger Than Other Wasps?
WouterDepending on the species, queen wasps are usually bigger than worker wasps. The average queen wasp is about twice the size of a worker. They are also larger than the male drones. They have a distinctive “waist” that is usually black and yellow. They have a triangle-shaped head and a pointy sting. They also have a pointed lower abdomen.
Most colonies have one or more queen wasps. This queen is the leader of the colony. She lays eggs in a nest that is built by the workers. The workers will feed the larvae. The larvae grow very quickly. They digest protein in a simple sugar solution. Some of the larvae will become new queen wasps for the next year. The last eggs to hatch will be the drones.
Queens lay large quantities of eggs. They need to produce a large amount of eggs in order to survive the winter. They also need to have fat stored for the winter. Fat reserves account for about 40% of the total dry weight. During winter, the queen wasps will hibernate in sheltered locations. In most cases, they will hibernate once.
Queen wasps build their nests in trees or woods. They also build nests inside buildings, such as a shed. They will nest in walls, attics and roofs. Their nests are usually made of a papery, umbrella-shaped substance.
They are very aggressive. They can attack other types of wasps in the nest. They also attack other insects. In some cases, they can attack humans. They have a sting that can be dangerous to those with a sting allergy.
