Paper wasps belong to the genus Polistes, a large group of social wasps found across nearly all continents. They are frequently encountered throughout North America, where they build their characteristic paper structures near human dwellings. This guide details the physical characteristics that allow for accurate identification of the paper wasp.
Key Physical Traits of the Wasp
The paper wasp has a slender, elongated body, typically measuring between 0.5 and 1 inch in length. A defining feature is the narrow, tapered segment connecting the thorax and the abdomen, often referred to as a “wasp waist” or petiole. This slenderness is a key visual identifier.
Coloration varies significantly by species, ranging from dark, reddish-brown with subtle yellow markings to pronounced patterns of black and yellow. For instance, the Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) often exhibits a dark brown body with lighter brown or coppery markings. When in flight, the paper wasp’s long hind legs hang noticeably down, trailing behind the body.
The Unique Appearance of Paper Nests
The paper wasp’s name comes from the distinct material used to construct its nest: a grayish, papery substance. Wasps create this material by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva. This paste hardens into a durable, lightweight, paper-like comb.
The nest architecture is a simple, single-layered comb of hexagonal cells that hangs exposed to the air. It attaches to a surface by a single, short, constricted stalk called a pedicel. The structure often resembles an open, upside-down umbrella or cone, leading to the nickname “umbrella wasps.” Nests are usually placed in sheltered locations, such as under the eaves of a house or beneath deck railings, to protect the open comb from rain.
How to Tell a Paper Wasp from a Yellow Jacket
Distinguishing a paper wasp from a yellow jacket is straightforward by focusing on physical and architectural differences. The paper wasp’s body is noticeably more slender, featuring the distinct, narrow waist. Yellow jackets, by contrast, possess a stockier, more compact body shape.
Yellow jackets typically display a brighter, more vivid pattern of black and fluorescent yellow bands. Paper wasps often have a more muted appearance, with colors tending toward darker shades of brown, rusty-red, or a duller yellow and black combination. The most reliable difference is the flight posture: the paper wasp dangles its long legs below its body, while the yellow jacket tucks its shorter legs close to its body during flight.
Nest location and structure also provide a clear distinction between the two species. Paper wasp nests are always exposed, open combs suspended from an aerial structure. Yellow jacket nests are commonly enclosed in a papery envelope, and are frequently located underground, inside wall voids, or in other hidden cavities. Observing the nest’s shape and placement is often the simplest way to identify the species.