Many individuals often encounter intricate, papery structures suspended from eaves or branches and wonder which insects are responsible for their creation. Exploring the builders of these fascinating nests reveals a world of diverse insect behaviors and sophisticated construction methods.
The True Architects of Paper Nests
Paper wasps, including hornets and yellowjackets, are the primary architects of paper nests, not bees. The widespread misconception that bees build these nests stems from their similar striped appearances and the fact that both types of insects are frequently observed near flowers. However, their nest-building materials and methods differ significantly. Paper wasps are social insects that gather wood fibers, chewing them and mixing them with their saliva to produce a paper-like pulp. This pulp forms the characteristic structure of their nests, distinguishing them from the wax combs created by many bee species.
How Paper Nests Are Constructed
Paper wasps initiate nest construction by scraping wood fibers from sources like dead wood, plant stems, fences, logs, or unpainted lumber. They chew these fibers, mixing them with saliva to create a pliable, paper-like pulp, which forms the nest’s distinctive hexagonal cells. These hexagonal shapes provide an efficient and strong structure for raising their young, maximizing space while minimizing material usage.
The nests appear as open combs, often umbrella-shaped, and are made of gray or brown papery material. Unlike some other wasp nests, paper wasp nests lack an outer covering, leaving their internal hexagonal cells visible. These structures are found in sheltered locations, such as under eaves, in attics, on tree branches, or within pipes, offering protection from the elements. A single, constricted stalk, called a petiole, attaches the nest to the chosen surface.
Distinguishing Paper Wasps from Bees
Differentiating between paper wasps and bees involves observing several physical and behavioral traits. Visually, bees possess rounder, fuller bodies and are noticeably hairier, with thicker legs, which aids in pollen collection. In contrast, paper wasps have more slender bodies with distinct narrow waists, smoother and shinier exteriors, and longer, thinner legs. Their wings are held close to their bodies when at rest, unlike the more spread-out wings of some bees.
Behaviorally, their diets and stinging habits also differ. Bees are herbivores, consuming nectar and pollen, and are pollinators in ecosystems. Wasps, however, are omnivores and predators, feeding on other insects and larvae, as well as nectar and sugary substances. Regarding stinging, honeybees possess barbed stingers that result in their death after a single sting, leading them to sting in self-defense. Wasps, with their smooth stingers, are capable of stinging multiple times without dying and can be more aggressive.