A social wasp nest is an incredible superorganism, consisting of thousands of interdependent, industrious wasp individuals, all serving the common good of the colony.

A social wasp nest, depending on the species and number of wasps, can be a fantastic and sophisticated structure - truly architectural masterpieces to rival the honeycombs made by honey bees!

Types of social wasps. There are about 20 species of social wasps in North America and more than 700 species world-wide. They can be divided into three groups: Yellowjackets. Nests are usually built in underground cavities, such as old rodent burrows. Hornets. Nests are always located above ground.

In Western states there are two distinct types of social wasps—yellowjackets and paper wasps. Yellowjackets are by far the most troublesome group, especially ground- and cavity-nesting ones such as the western yellowjacket, which tend to defend their nests vigorously when disturbed.

Social wasps are a group of related insects belonging primarily to the family Vespidae (sometimes called vespid wasps). Being social means many individuals share one nest. Solitary wasps and bees nest alone. This article focuses on the habits of social wasps and bees. People mistakenly call all stinging insects "bees."

Social bees (honey bees and bumble bees) and social wasps (paper wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets) are often nest near where people live. They aggressively defend their nests and in so doing threaten people.

Oct 17, 2024 · Social wasps differ from solitary wasps by living in a community of a single nest housing dozens or thousands of members. The wasps in these communities work together to build the nest, find food, raise the young, and defend the nest against perceived threats.

Social wasps such as the paper wasps, bald-faced hornets, and yellowjackets live in colonies in a fashion similar to the honey bees and ants. Most of the wasps in a colony are workers, i.e., the nest queen's nonreproductive daughters that build …

Social wasp nests usually are a composite of harvested plant fiber and salivary secretion. This contrasts with social bees, which rely primarily on their own secretions, or ants and termites, which generally excavate galleries.

While numerous species exist, those that construct nests fall mainly into two families: Vespidae (social wasps) and Sphecidae (solitary wasps). Social wasps, like the paper wasp or yellow jacket, build elaborate nests from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva.