Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Paper Wasps

Last Saturday on the way to the farmer’s market, I noticed this Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) nest hanging low in a London Plane.
I’m seeing a lot of these wasps this year. This nest should get bigger in the next month. I’ll try to monitor it week by week.
Also last Saturday, in the Central Park of the Inner Borough, I saw a Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) nest. The paper structure is similar, but the wasps are black and yellow. Bald-faced are all over, but this is only the second Common Aerial nest I’ve ever seen here in the city.
Of course, once the leaves fall and these big paper footballs are exposed to better view, the wasps have died off for the year (only queens overwinter) and it may be hard to tell which of these two species built it.

mthew

4 responses to “Paper Wasps”

  1. Chuck McAlexander

    It would be interesting to see what the internal structure looks like. The many tunnels and chambers, all done with a purpose in mind, would be fascinating. The differences between designs of separate species would, too.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      There are levels of horizontal comb inside, the number of levels depending on how big/old the nest gets. Can just see some of the capped-off comb in the Aerial nest. Here’s what one level looks like: https://matthewwills.com/2014/12/01/paper/

      Reply
      1. Chuck McAlexander

        So the comb forms a vertical wall and the entrance to the nest is on the side? Is another wall built in front of the first once it is all sealed up?

  2. Paul Lamb

    I admire the nests, but I do not like the occupants!

    Reply

Leave a reply to Chuck McAlexander Cancel reply