Wasps build nests, often called hives, that house their developing young and social communities. The number of residents in these nests can vary significantly.
Social and Solitary Wasps
Wasp hives primarily refer to the communal nests of social wasps. Unlike solitary species that build individual nests for their offspring, social wasps live in organized groups. Social colonies are structured around a queen, who is the primary egg-layer, and sterile female workers who undertake tasks like nest construction, food gathering, and caring for the young. Males are also present, especially later in the season, primarily for reproduction.
Common Colony Sizes
The number of wasps in a colony varies considerably depending on the species and environmental conditions. Paper wasp nests are generally smaller, typically housing 20 to 30 adults in a mature nest, though some can range from a dozen to a hundred individuals. Larger paper wasp colonies might contain 150 to 300 individuals.
Yellowjacket colonies can be substantially larger, often containing several thousand insects. Common species like German and Eastern yellowjackets frequently have peak worker populations between 1,000 and 3,000 individuals. In warmer regions, such as the southern United States, some yellowjacket colonies can persist for more than one season, potentially reaching over 100,000 workers.
Hornet colonies also vary in size. European hornets typically have colonies with 300 to 500 wasps, though some larger nests can contain up to 1,000 workers. Bald-faced hornets, a species of yellowjacket, usually have colonies that grow to 400 workers by late summer, sometimes reaching 700 workers. Hornet colonies may reach up to 1,500 members.
Factors Affecting Colony Numbers
Several factors influence the size a wasp colony can attain during its active season. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, play a role. Wasps prefer warm and dry locations for nest construction, as these conditions are favorable for larvae and the queen. Higher temperatures increase wasp activity, which can accelerate nest growth.
The availability of food resources is another factor. A plentiful supply of food, including insects for larvae and sugary liquids for adults, enables the colony to grow rapidly. More food means more larvae can be sustained, leading to an increased number of adult workers who contribute to the colony’s expansion. The health and productivity of the queen are also important; a productive queen continuously laying eggs supports a larger colony.
The Wasp Colony Cycle
A social wasp colony undergoes an annual life cycle. The cycle begins in spring when a single fertilized queen emerges from hibernation. She selects a suitable nesting site and starts building a small initial nest, laying the first batch of eggs.
As these first eggs hatch and develop, they become sterile female worker wasps. These workers expand the nest, forage for food, and care for subsequent larvae, allowing the queen to focus solely on egg-laying. The colony grows rapidly throughout the summer months, reaching its peak population in late summer or early fall. During this peak, new reproductive males and queens are produced.
Once these new queens have mated, they disperse to find sheltered locations for overwintering. The original queen, worker wasps, and males typically perish with the onset of colder weather. The nest itself is generally not reused in subsequent years. The cycle begins anew the following spring with a new generation of queens.