The Paper wasp, belonging to the genus Polistes, is part of the family Vespidae in the order Hymenoptera, which also includes ants, bees, and other wasps. These wasps are classified as eusocial insects, meaning they live in colonies with a division of labor, cooperative brood care, and overlapping generations. Polistes is one of the most widespread and well-studied genera of paper wasps, with many species found across temperate and tropical regions.
Paper wasps are slender-bodied insects typically ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters in length. They have long legs that dangle noticeably in flight, narrow waists, and smooth bodies with little hair. Their coloration often includes combinations of black, reddish-brown, and yellow, which sometimes leads them to be confused with other stinging wasps or even hornets. One distinguishing feature is their umbrella-shaped nests, which are open-faced and consist of hexagonal cells arranged in a single layer.
Commonly referred to simply as “paper wasps”, they are sometimes mistaken for yellowjackets or hornets due to their aggressive-looking appearance, although they are generally less hostile unless their nest is threatened. Their name comes from the papery texture of their nests, which are made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. Unlike enclosed nests of other wasps, paper wasp nests are exposed and often attached to eaves, branches, or fences.
Paper wasps are found across North America, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, thriving in both urban and rural environments. They favor sheltered outdoor locations for nest-building and are commonly seen in gardens, orchards, under roof overhangs, or in open structures like sheds and porches. Their preference for relatively open nest sites makes their colonies more visible than those of ground-nesting wasps.
They have several natural predators, including birds, praying mantises, spiders, and larger wasps. Despite their ability to sting in defense, they are vulnerable to attacks—especially when foraging or when their nests are raided. Some mammals, such as raccoons and skunks, will even eat the larvae and pupae inside the nests, particularly in the later part of the season when the brood is mature.
As adults, paper wasps feed primarily on nectar, ripe fruits, and sugary secretions like honeydew produced by aphids. They also play a crucial role as predators of garden pests, such as caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects, which they capture, chew, and feed to their larvae. This dual role makes them beneficial insects in agriculture and gardening, helping to control pest populations while contributing to pollination.
Although paper wasps are not as aggressive as other wasps, they will defend their nests if provoked. Their stings can be painful and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Despite this, they are generally non-confrontational if left undisturbed and can be safely observed from a distance. Their ecological benefits and relatively calm behavior make them important and often misunderstood members of the insect world.
Life cycle and habits of Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.)
The life cycle of the Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.) is an annual and highly organized process that follows the basic stages of complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. It begins in early spring when a fertilized female, having overwintered in a protected location like bark crevices or under siding, emerges to start a new colony. This female becomes the foundress queen and begins building a small nest by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva to form a paper-like material. She constructs a few hexagonal cells and lays one egg in each.
After a few days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which the queen feeds with chewed-up insects. During this stage, she hunts and tends the brood alone. The larvae go through several molts before spinning silk caps over their cells and entering the pupal stage. After metamorphosis, the first generation of workers (sterile females) emerges. These workers quickly assume responsibility for foraging, expanding the nest, and caring for additional brood, freeing the queen to focus entirely on egg-laying.
As the colony grows during summer, it typically reaches a size of dozens to a few hundred individuals, depending on species and environmental conditions. The nest remains open and umbrella-shaped, often attached to horizontal surfaces like eaves, branches, or beams. Colonies are usually small compared to other social wasps, and they do not construct enclosed or underground nests. Most colonies have a single queen, though multiple foundresses can sometimes start a nest together and later compete for dominance.
In late summer or early autumn, the queen begins to lay eggs that will develop into reproductive males and future queens. These individuals leave the nest, mate, and disperse. The males die soon after mating, while the newly mated females search for overwintering sites to survive the cold months. As temperatures drop, the existing colony—including the founding queen and workers—gradually dies out. Old nests are not reused, and a new cycle begins each spring.
Paper wasps are diurnal insects, most active during the day. They are highly territorial around their nest and will sting if it is disturbed. However, they are generally considered less aggressive than yellowjackets or hornets. Their behavior is usually defensive rather than offensive, and they often avoid confrontation unless directly threatened.
The diet of adult paper wasps consists mainly of nectar, plant juices, and other sugary substances, which give them energy. They are also known to collect honeydew secreted by aphids. For their developing larvae, however, the workers hunt small caterpillars, beetle larvae, and flies, which they chew into a paste and feed directly to the brood. This predatory behavior makes them valuable natural pest controllers in gardens and agricultural areas.
Paper wasps show a remarkable division of labor and social coordination despite their relatively small colony sizes. Communication is mainly chemical (pheromonal), and each caste—queen, workers, males—plays a defined role. Their nests, though exposed, are strong and efficiently designed, showcasing their impressive architectural ability and adaptive behavior in a wide range of environments.