Paper wasp nests can be dangerous because these colonial insects protect their nests aggressively. Only the queen lays eggs, her daughters build the nest, hunt for and feed their baby sisters (larvae). The white capped cells in this photo contain pupating wasps. Much to the boys' dismay, they are surprised to learn that only female insects can sting. I love to throw out that little fact in my classes! It is especially fun when I'm teaching at a school where the team mascot is a Hornet or Yellowjacket! :)
has begun her nest, as soon as the first workers begin emerging in about a month, they will take over the building and feeding of their sisters. Unfortunately, this wasp nest had to be destroyed, it is at the cabin where we have our summer science camp. Colonial wasps like these are very protective of their nests and we can't take the chance of someone getting stung. I feel bad about having to kill them, but it is just too dangerous to mix wasps and 25 middle school-aged kids!
This Paper Wasp is tending the larvae on the right side of the Nest. Note the tiny white egg in the upper cell. Fortunately, I had my telephoto lens on my camera so I wasn't as close to the nest as it appears!
