Paper Wasp

Description

The paper wasp is considerably smaller than European Wasps and lacks their bright yellow markings. They are typically advantageous insects to have in the garden because they frequently only act violently while defending their nests. Small heads, sized eyes, and antennae that are around the same length are all characteristics of paper wasps. The waist is rather small, and the body is lean. The first pair is larger and has two pairs of wings with a brown hue. There are some yellow or orange streaks on the mostly black abdomen. Asian Paper Wasps, a recent addition, has been discovered in a few inner-city Sydney areas recently. Compared to the nearby Polistes, this closely related species are often larger and have more noticeable yellow and brown colouring.

Appearance

Although they can sting painfully, paper wasps are not as violent as European Wasps. Normally, they only attack those who disrupt their nest. Multiple stings can cause a more serious systemic reaction. Wasps are much more prone to sting than bees, have more clearly defined waists, and frequently have brighter colours, yet the majority of wasps don’t even sting. The majority of wasps live alone; however, many may construct a group nest where their young can develop. Wasps are among the most significant flying insects, including over 100,000 species worldwide. They perform pollination and control the population of other insects. A species of wasp preys on almost every problem insect on Earth.

Life Cycle:

Paper wasps collect wood fibre from plants and chew it into a hexagonal structure resembling paper to make nests like upside-down umbrellas. The number of cells in a mature nest is about 200. Small colonies of paper wasps build sheet nests beneath neighbouring trees and under the roofs of houses. The hexagonal cells that make up the nests, which are like inverted cones, are made of a combination of saliva and wood pulp. The papery cells of the nest are where the wasp larvae grow.

Habits

Except for young queens, most paper wasps perish over the winter. Queens build their nests in safe areas, like underneath the bark of trees or in crevices and cracks around buildings, to survive the winter. Several queens frequently gather to create a new nest in the spring. When attacked, paper wasps have been observed to sting frequently and are regarded as aggressive wasps. It’s crucial to never harm their nest because of this. Because wasp stings can be excruciatingly painful, you should leave wasp infestation in or around your house to a reputable wasp control business.