Wasps are a common sight during warmer months, but their disappearance in winter often leads to questions about their survival. Their life cycle includes a remarkable adaptation that allows for the continuation of the species. Understanding this process clarifies how wasps navigate colder periods and what to expect when temperatures rise again.
The Truth About Wasp Hibernation
Most wasps do not truly hibernate in the way mammals do. Instead, they enter a state of dormancy known as diapause. This is a period of significantly reduced metabolic activity and suspended development, allowing insects to survive unfavorable environmental conditions such as cold temperatures and scarce food.
Only the newly fertilized queen wasps from the previous season survive the winter by entering diapause. The vast majority of the colony, including worker wasps, male wasps (drones), and the old queen, die off with the onset of colder weather and dwindling food supplies. These new queens are solely responsible for initiating new colonies in the spring.
The Hibernation Process and Locations
Before entering diapause, queen wasps undergo physiological changes. Their metabolic rate slows considerably, and they rely on stored fat reserves for energy. Some species produce a natural antifreeze, such as glycerol, in their bodies to prevent ice crystals from forming and damaging cells, allowing them to endure freezing temperatures.
During diapause, queen wasps seek out sheltered, undisturbed locations that offer protection from extreme cold, wind, and predators. Common overwintering sites include crevices in buildings (attics, wall voids, roof eaves, sheds, garages) or natural shelters (under loose tree bark, in hollow logs, log piles, or old burrows). These locations provide insulation and a stable temperature, which is crucial for their survival. While these spots offer refuge, queen wasps remain vulnerable to predators like spiders and other insects, and many do not survive the winter.
Life After Hibernation
As spring approaches and temperatures consistently rise, the queen wasp emerges from diapause, typically between March and May. Her first task is to find a suitable nesting site, which can include tree branches, eaves, attics, or other sheltered areas. She then begins constructing a small, golf-ball-sized nest using chewed wood fibers mixed with her saliva to create a paper-like material. Within this initial structure, she lays her first batch of eggs, usually around ten to twenty.
The queen single-handedly cares for these larvae, feeding them protein-rich insects until they develop into adult worker wasps. Once this first generation of workers matures, they take over foraging for food, expanding the nest, and caring for subsequent broods, allowing the queen to focus solely on laying eggs to grow the colony. This cycle ensures the continuation of the wasp population throughout the warmer months.