Hornets construct intricate nests, providing shelter and a secure environment for their growing colonies. These remarkable structures are built from a unique paper-like material. The construction process begins with a single queen and evolves into a cooperative effort involving hundreds of workers.
The Essential Building Blocks
Hornets produce a specialized paper for their nests. This material originates from wood fibers that hornets gather by chewing on sources like dead wood, fences, or cardboard. They then mix these wood fibers with their saliva, forming a pulp. This mixture hardens into a durable, lightweight, and waterproof paper-like substance as it dries. The sticky, protein-rich properties of hornet saliva contribute to the material’s quick-drying and water-resistant qualities.
The Queen’s Foundation
In the spring, a solitary queen begins the nest construction process after emerging from hibernation. She selects a sheltered location, which might include eaves, hollow trees, attics, or wall voids. The queen first builds a small stalk, known as a pedicel, to anchor the initial structure. Around this pedicel, she constructs the first few hexagonal cells where she will lay her initial eggs. She then encases these initial cells within a protective paper envelope, creating a small, tennis ball-sized starter nest with around 10 to 12 cells.
Colony Construction and Expansion
Once the first generation of worker hornets emerges, they assume the primary construction duties, allowing the queen to focus on egg-laying. These workers expand the nest by foraging for more wood pulp. They add new layers to the paper envelope, increasing the nest’s overall size and creating multiple tiers of hexagonal cells within.
Hornets incorporate pedicels for load bearing and stability as the nest grows. They also manage internal ventilation, using grooves and pores in the nest material and fanning their wings to regulate temperature and airflow. A mature nest can reach the size of a basketball and house hundreds to over a thousand hornets by late summer.
Variations in Nest Design
While the fundamental process of using chewed wood and saliva to create paper remains consistent across different hornet species, the final appearance and location of their nests can vary significantly. Some species, like the bald-faced hornet, typically build spherical, hanging nests in exposed locations such as tree branches or building overhangs. In contrast, European hornets often prefer concealed spaces, constructing irregular nests within wall voids, attics, or hollow trees. Although less common for hornets, some species may also establish nests underground, often utilizing abandoned burrows.