The structure built by social wasps to house their colony, eggs, and developing larvae is commonly referred to as a wasp nest. This complex, papery dwelling serves as a nursery and the central hub for the entire colony’s activity. While the generic term “wasp nest” is widely used, the specific appearance, size, and location of the structure depend entirely on the species of wasp that created it.
The Proper Terminology and Structure
The formal, though less common, scientific term for a wasp nest is a vespiary. This term specifically designates the structure or place where social wasps, such as hornets and yellow jackets, establish their community. A typical vespiary is composed of two main architectural components: the protective outer envelope and the internal comb.
The interior comb is a series of hexagonal cells, similar to a honeycomb, where the queen lays her eggs and the larvae develop. These cells are built in layers or tiers within the structure. In many species, the internal comb is shielded by the outer envelope, a shell of paper-like material that encases the nursery.
Materials and Construction
Wasp nest material is essentially a form of natural paper, created through a biological process involving wood fiber and saliva. The founding queen or worker wasps scrape dead wood fibers from sources like weathered fences, logs, or untreated wooden structures using their strong mandibles. They then chew these fibers and mix them with their saliva.
This mixture breaks down the wood cellulose, forming a soft, pliable paper pulp. The wasps apply this paste in thin layers, which dry to create the characteristic lightweight, yet durable, papery walls. The queen initiates construction in the spring by building a small stalk, called a pedicel, which anchors the nest. She then builds the first few hexagonal cells to lay her initial eggs, and as the colony grows, worker wasps take over expanding and fortifying the paper envelope.
Common Locations and Types
The location and shape of a wasp nest are often the clearest indicators of the species that built it. Aerial nests, such as those constructed by the baldfaced hornet, are large, enclosed, and spherical or football-shaped. They are frequently suspended from tree branches or attached to building eaves, and characterized by a single entrance hole at the bottom.
Paper wasps construct open-architecture nests that look like an inverted umbrella, exposing the hexagonal cells underneath. These nests are usually small and hang by a single stalk from sheltered horizontal surfaces, such as under eaves or porch ceilings. Yellow jackets, another social wasp, often build their papery nests in subterranean locations, utilizing abandoned rodent burrows or natural cavities. They may also nest in wall voids or attics.