# European Paper Wasp (*Polistes dominula*) The European Paper Wasp is a friendly insect that builds beautiful nests out of paper-like material. They are often seen flying around gardens and parks, helping to control pests. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 26 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![European Paper Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Alfonso_benayas_-_Avispa_%28by%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: alfonsobenayas, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alfonso_benayas_-_Avispa_%28by%29.jpg) ## Appearance The European Paper Wasp is a slender insect, typically yellow and black with long, reddish-orange antennae. Its body is less fuzzy than a bee and more elongated than a yellowjacket, with distinctive bright yellow markings on its face and a pinched 'waist'. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Eumenidae - **Genus:** Polistes ## Interesting facts - Adult wasps mainly drink nectar and fruit juices for energy, but their babies need protein from hunted insects! - Queens can choose to cooperate and build a nest together, but only one will lay all the eggs! - These wasps often "sunbathe" to warm up their muscles for flight on cool mornings, like tiny solar panels! - Unlike honeybees, European Paper Wasps can sting multiple times without dying, though they usually prefer to flee. ## Special abilities - **Facial Recognition:** European Paper Wasps can recognize individual nest mates by their unique facial patterns, helping maintain social order. - **Pest Controllers:** European Paper Wasps hunt and paralyze caterpillars and other insects to feed their young, helping control garden pests. - **Chemical Communicators:** European Paper Wasps have specialized glands that release pheromones, allowing them to communicate warnings or food sources. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 10-200 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink sweet nectar and juices for energy, while larvae eat protein-rich insects. - **Age differences:** Adult wasps feed on nectar and plant sap, but hunt insects to feed their carnivorous larvae. - **Primary Foods:** caterpillars, flies, nectar, fruit juices, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Magpie](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-magpie) (*Pica pica*) — Magpies are known to raid wasp nests for larvae and adults. - **Hunts:** Small Cabbage White (*Pieris rapae*) — Wasp larvae feed on the caterpillars of this common butterfly. - **Parasitizes:** Ruby-tailed Wasp (*Chrysis ignita*) — This cuckoo wasp lays its eggs in European Paper Wasp nests. - **Pollinates:** Wild Carrot (*Daucus carota*) — Adult wasps visit flowers like wild carrot for nectar. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a wasp, watch it from a distance and don't disturb its nest. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Paper Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is European Paper Wasp's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is European Paper Wasp? 10-15 mm ### How long does European Paper Wasp live? 30-365 days ### How fast can European Paper Wasp fly? 20 km/h ### What does European Paper Wasp eat? Adults drink sweet nectar and juices for energy, while larvae eat protein-rich insects. ### Where is European Paper Wasp usually found? Urban areas ### How does European Paper Wasp hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Bean Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bean-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Brookside Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookside-reservation) — Ohio, US · Park - [Central Park West Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-park-west-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Chelsea Parade Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chelsea-parade-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Chestnut Street District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chestnut-street-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District [View all places to see European Paper Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-paper-wasp) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [European Paper Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-paper-wasp)