What Are Paper Wasps Good For?
WouterGenerally, paper wasps are not aggressive but if you are attacked they will sting. The sting is quite painful. The stinger has no barb on the end and does not sting the same way as a bee sting.
Paper wasps are social insects. Female paper wasps find protected places to build a nest. The nests are made of wood fiber combined with saliva. A mature nest has up to 200 cells. The larvae develop inside the cells. The larvae feed on caterpillars and flies.
The paper wasp is beneficial to gardens as it feeds on garden pests. It also helps with pollination. It can be found in many areas including forests and gardens. They feed on nectar and prey on caterpillars, beetles, and flies.
In the summer, paper wasp colonies become active. Females are attracted to overhangs and high places. They are also attracted to wood fences. The nests are shaped like an inverted cone. Paper wasp colonies are often located under roof overhangs or tree branches.
Paper wasps will sting when a nest is disturbed. It also has a pheromone that can alert other drones. It marks the territory. A single queen can dominate the other queens. It is the queen that is the key to the future generations of paper wasps.
There are many species of paper wasps in the world. Some are solid red or black, while others are striped. The color of the wasp depends on its species.
