What Size Are Wasp Nests?
WouterSeveral types of wasps build nests, which vary in size and shape. These nests are usually cylindrical or dome-shaped, and they have a papery appearance. The nests are constructed with chewed wood fibers and salivary secretions. Some of the wasps build the nests below the ground.
Paper wasp nests are typically smaller than the nests of hornets or yellow jackets. They are also known as paper honeycombs, because they look like a paper honeycomb. These nests are often found in mailboxes or light fixtures. They usually measure around 3-4 inches in diameter.
The wasp queen builds the nest around a stalk. She also gathers nest-building materials, such as wood or chewed fabric, and stores them in a firm place. She adds further layers of paper to protect the cells. She prepares the cells for egg laying and waits for the first brood of adult wasps to hatch.
Queen wasps usually live for about 12 months. After the queen dies, a younger queen takes her place. This helps ensure that the life cycle of the colony continues when the queen wakes up in the spring.
These colonies can be as large as basketballs. They can also be as small as a tennis ball. Depending on the type of wasp, the number of wasps living in a nest varies.
The most common species of wasps are paper wasps and hornets. Paper wasps build their nests by layering pulp into hexagonal columns. Some paper wasps build new nests on top of old nests. The queen wasp lays eggs in the cells, which develop into larvae. The larvae are then fed by adult workers.
