How Do Wasps Build Paper Nests?

Often called paper honeycomb, paper wasp nests are constructed by mated females. They lay a single egg in each hexagonal cell. They are made from a gray papery substance. Paper wasp colonies can have as many as 5,000 wasps.

These wasps do not sting readily. However, they can sense when something is wrong and will move away from the nest with great haste.

In early spring, mated queens begin building paper nests. They select a site, and then spit out a pulp-like substance, similar to paper, to build the nest. The queen adds pulp to support the nest and then lays a single egg in each cell. Several other females may join the queen, and together they tend to the nest.

The queen then scrapes wood fibers with her mouthparts and mixes it with saliva. This creates a soft, malleable pulp that is used to build the nest. The nest is then covered with a paper envelope to protect the brood cells.

As the nest grows, new generations of workers add cells. Some wasps use mud to strengthen the structure. A mature nest contains up to 200 cells. The nest may continue to be built for several years.

The nest is also the center of attraction for hornets and yellowjackets. Paper wasps will also prey on caterpillars, flies, and beetle larvae.

In late summer, the maximum colony size usually reaches about 5,000 wasps. During the cold winter months, these wasps die.