paper wasp

A young paper wasp queen (Polistes dominula) starting a new colony

Paper wasps are 3/4 to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5 cm)-long wasps that gather fibers from dead wood and plant stems, which they mix with saliva, and use to construct water-resistant nests made of gray or brown papery material. Paper wasps are also sometimes called umbrella wasps, due to the distinctive design of their nests^[1] or other regional variants such as Trinidad & Tobago's use of Jack Spaniard.^[2]

European paper wasp (Polistes dominula)

The name "paper wasps" typically refers to members of the vespid subfamily Polistinae, though it often colloquially includes members of the subfamilies Vespinae (hornets and yellowjackets) and Stenogastrinae, which also make nests out of paper. Twenty-two species of Polistes paper wasps have been identified in North America and approximately 300 species have been identified worldwide. The Old World tribe Ropalidiini contains another 300 species, and the Neotropical tribes Epiponini and Mischocyttarini each contain over 250 more, so the total number of true paper wasps worldwide is about 1100 species, nearly half of which can be found in the Neotropics.

The nests of most true paper wasps are characterized by having open combs with cells for brood rearing, and a petiole, or constricted stalk, that anchors the nest (see image, right).^[3] Paper wasps secrete a chemical which repels ants, which they spread around the base of the anchor to prevent the loss of eggs or brood.

Most social wasps of the family Vespidae make nests from paper; although some stenogastrine species, such as Liostenogaster flavolineata, use mud. A small group of eusocial crabronid wasps, of the genus Microstigmus (the only eusocial wasps outside the family Vespidae), also construct nests out of chewed plant fibers, though the nest consistency is quite different from those of true paper wasps, due to the absence of wood fibers, and the use of silk to bind the fibers.^[4]

Unlike yellowjackets and hornets, which can be very aggressive, polistine paper wasps will generally only attack if they themselves or their nest are threatened.^[5] Since their territoriality can lead to attacks on people, and because their stings are quite painful and can produce a potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction in some individuals, nests in human-inhabited areas may present an unacceptable hazard.^[6]

Paper wasp on a spider lily leaf. They are considered beneficial by gardeners

Most wasps are beneficial in their natural habitat, and are critically important in natural biocontrol.^[3] Paper wasps feed on nectar, and other insects, including caterpillars, flies, and beetle larvae, and they are often considered to be beneficial by gardeners.^[6]

References

1. ^ "Paper Wasp" Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2006.
2. ^ [1] What's That Bug.
3. ^ ^{a b} W.F. Lyon and G.S. Wegner (1991) Paper Wasps and Hornets Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Entomology
4. ^ R.W. Matthews, C.K. Starr Microstigmus comes Wasps have a Method of Nest Construction Unique Among Social Insects Biotropica, Vol. 16, No. 1 (Mar., 1984), pp. 55-58 doi:10.2307/2387895
5. ^ Felixson, Carol (undated), "Paper wasps work together." Retrieved 2009-04-26 from "L.A. Times" at http://www.latimes.com/features/kids/readingroom/la-et-kidcal5mar06,1,7872696.story.
6. ^ ^{a b} Drees, B.M. and John Jackman (1999) Field Guide to Texas Insects, Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas. Excerpt available at: Texas Cooperative extension

See also

• Biological pest control
• Schmidt Sting Pain Index
• Polistes
• Polistinae
• Ropalidiini

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Female Polistes biglumis bimaculatus wasp tending to a nest. A long, black petiole, by which the nest is attached to the branch, is quite apparent	Closeup of several slender, narrow-waisted paper wasps (the wings are folded back while at rest).	Closeup of a paper wasp and nest	A paper wasp (Ropalidia sp.) nest	Paper wasps attending to a nest. Larvae at two stages of development are visible in cells	Paper Wasp Polistes dominula Nectaring on milkweed
Polistes dominula	A Western Paper Wasp (Mischocyttarus flavitarsis)	Paper Wasp - Polistes fuscatus