ey do require a certain amount of protein in their diet which is typically acquired from the larvae. As adults wasps are feeding their larvae, the larvae exude a proteinaceous material from their mouth that is quickly consumed by the adult. The majority of these larvae will develop into adult workers, which take over the duties of expanding the nest, collecting food and feeding the young (Figure 18A). The queen continues to lay more eggs; this results in several generations with the colony continuing to increase in size into the fall. In the late fall, new kings and queens are produced, mating occurs, and the newly mated queens overwinter, completing the annual cycle.
Left. Mating yellow jackets. Right. Paper wasp.
Some consider these wasps beneficial, as they are predatory on different pest species. Besides feeding on caterpillars and other insects and spiders, these insects are attracted to any meat source, a phenomenon, which is frequently observed much to the displeasure of campers, clients of or participants in restaurants, snack bars and backyard barbecues
The nests of hornets, yellow jackets and paper wasps are constructed out of cellulose, which is collected by the adult workers from a variety of sources, including old newspapers, cardboard, weathered wood, and bark. Once collected, these materials are chewed, saliva is added and they are formed into cells basically appearing like those in honey bee comb.
With paper wasps the nest is a single layer that is suspended upside down by a short stalk. Around the home, paper wasp nests typically are found under eaves, along fences, or can be found attached to trees and plants. Hornet and yellow jacket nests may exist above or below ground; their nests are much larger than those of paper wasps, and are constructed of many layers of cells that are surrounded by a capsule-like structure.
Left. A paper wasp nest with a dozen or so workers. Right. A large hornet nest. Image courtesy CDC Healthwise Photo Library-Dr Gary Alpert.
Since paper wasp nest are single-layered