Family: Vespidae, Vespid Wasps view all from this family

Description 1/2-1" (13-25 mm). Slender, hornetlike. Short 1-segmented "waist" (pedicel) between thorax and abdomen. Upper portion of head pointed, never notched, as in hornets and yellow jackets. Head and body mostly reddish brown to black with yellow rings and reddish areas on abdomen. Male's face pale, with antennae tips hooked; female has brown face. Wings amber to reddish brown.

Warning These wasps will sting if provoked or if their nest is disturbed, but they are usually not aggressive.

Food Adult drinks nectar and juices from crushed and rotting fruits. Larva feeds on insects pre-chewed by adults.

Life Cycle In spring several females work together to construct uncovered paperlike, hanging nest of wood pulp and saliva. One female becomes dominant queen. 1st few generations in summer are all females, cared for as larvae by unmated female workers. Unfertilized eggs produce fertile males. Only mated young queens overwinter under leaf litter and in stone walls. Old queens, workers, and larvae die.

Habitat Meadows, fields, and gardens on flowers, and near buildings.

Range Throughout North America.

Discussion Paper Wasps are much more tolerant of people and minor disturbances than are hornets and yellow jackets. The Golden Paper Wasp (P. fuscatus), 5/8-7/8" (15-21 mm), is dark reddish brown and yellow with its first abdominal segment banded yellow. It is common from British Columbia to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, south to West Virginia. The Southwestern Texas Paper Wasp (P. apachus), 1/2-5/8" (13-15 mm), is reddish brown with yellow markings. It occurs in Texas, New Mexico, southern California, and Mexico.