Paper Source

A European Paper Wasp/Polistes dominula has recently started a new nest. She has collected wood fibers to make pulp to make the paper combs of her nest. You can see several of the eggs she’s laid. The larvae will grow and pupate inside these chambers, then the new adult wasps will help make this nest larger, building more comb, feeding the new young. (These photos were taken on May 3, a sunny but cool and windy day. I’ll be checking in on this nest periodically.)

Several Norther Paper Wasps/Polistes fuscatus were flying around the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge nature center last week. They’re probably looking for nesting spots under eaves, etc.

Nearby, one was chew-scraping away at this thin dried stalk to gather fibers for making paper.