Paper Wasp Nest

Paper Wasp nest

One of our technicians recently brought this paper wasp nest back to the office.  These nests are commonly found under eaves of homes or buildings.  Paper wasps build their nests by gathering fibers from dead or decaying wood and plants.  They chew up the fibers and mix them with their saliva to make a paper-like material (the wasp version of paper-mache).  The nests of paper wasps have open combs with cells for their young and a constricted stalk that anchors the nest.  These wasps secrete a chemical that repels ants which is spread at the base of the anchor.
Although paper wasps are less aggressive than other bees, hornets, and yellow jackets, they will attack if their nest or the wasps themselves are threatened. 
Twenty-two species of paper wasps have been identified in North America and approximately 300 species have been identified worldwide.  However, if you include the species of subfamilies that also make paper nests, there would be closer to 1100 species!

Paper Wasp-photo from rivaitphoto.com