As autumn leaves fall and temperatures begin to drop, many wonder what becomes of the buzzing wasp populations that were so active during warmer months. Unlike some insects that remain active or migrate, the vast majority of a wasp colony undergoes a significant seasonal change. This annual cycle ensures the species’ continuation through the colder periods.
Seasonal Colony Decline
Wasp colonies, composed of worker and male wasps, are annual social structures that do not survive the winter. As summer transitions into autumn, the colony’s focus shifts from growth to reproduction. The queen produces a final batch of eggs that develop into new, fertile queens and male drones. These new queens and males leave the nest to mate. Once mating occurs, the existing queen, worker wasps, and male drones die off with colder weather.
This decline is due to the inability to withstand cold temperatures and a severe lack of food sources. Wasps do not store food like honeybees, making sustained survival through winter impossible for the entire colony. Nests, built from chewed wood fibers, are abandoned and not reused.
The Queen’s Winter Survival
Only the newly fertilized queen wasps survive the winter months. These queens seek out sheltered, secluded locations to enter a state of dormancy known as diapause. This is not true hibernation but a period of significantly reduced metabolic activity.
During diapause, the queen’s bodily functions slow down, allowing her to conserve energy without needing food for several months. She produces a natural antifreeze-like substance that prevents ice crystals from forming within her body. Common overwintering spots include crevices in buildings, under tree bark, in hollow logs, and within undisturbed areas like attics, sheds, or wall cavities. While some queens may perish due to predation by spiders or other insects, or from starvation if warm spells cause premature emergence, many successfully endure the cold.
Emerging in Spring
As spring arrives and temperatures consistently rise, the overwintered queen emerges from her dormant state. She then locates a suitable site to establish a new colony. This often involves scouting for sheltered, dark places such as roof eaves, attics, or hollow trees.
The queen then begins constructing an initial nest using chewed wood pulp mixed with her saliva. She lays her first batch of eggs within this nascent structure. These eggs hatch into larvae, which the queen feeds with protein-rich insects. Once these first worker wasps mature, they take over the responsibilities of foraging for food and expanding the nest, allowing the queen to focus on laying more eggs.