# Guinea Paper Wasp (*polistes exclamans*) The Guinea Paper Wasp is a fascinating insect that builds its home from paper-like material made from plant fibers. These wasps are known for their unique yellow and black markings and can often be seen buzzing around flowers and trees! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Guinea Paper Wasps are commonly found in gardens, forests, and areas with plenty of flowers. - **Also known as:** Common Paper Wasp, Yellow Paper Wasp ![Guinea Paper Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/PolistesExclamans_4421.JPG&width=800) Photo: Davefoc, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PolistesExclamans_4421.JPG) ## Appearance The Guinea Paper Wasp has a slender, reddish-brown body with distinct yellow bands on its abdomen and a primarily black head with some yellow. Its smoky brown wings are often folded lengthwise when at rest, making it appear streamlined and distinct from other wasps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Eumenidae - **Genus:** Polistes ## Interesting facts - A new queen starts her entire paper nest colony all by herself! - Some worker wasps can even lay eggs if the queen disappears! - They shake their bodies to signal danger to other wasps in the nest! - Wasp larvae eat chewed-up caterpillars caught by their hunting mothers! ## Special abilities - **Precision Architect:** Guinea Paper Wasps can build impressive paper nests from chewed plant fibers and saliva that protect their young. - **Potent Protector:** Guinea Paper Wasps have a venomous sting that helps them defend their colony from threats and subdue prey. - **Pest Patrol:** Guinea Paper Wasps can hunt and capture soft-bodied insects like caterpillars to feed their developing larvae. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 15-25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 50-200 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink nectar, while larvae feast on insects like caterpillars caught by adults. - **Age differences:** Larvae are fed chewed-up insects, while adult wasps primarily consume nectar and sweet plant secretions. - **Primary Foods:** Caterpillars, Beetle larvae, Nectar, Honeydew, Fruit juices - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Tobacco Hornworm (*Manduca sexta*) — Wasps catch and chew these caterpillars to feed their young. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adult wasps visit flowers like milkweed to drink nectar for energy. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds like robins may sometimes prey on adult wasps or their larvae. ## Traits - [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. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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 Be cautious around nests, as they may sting if they feel threatened. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Guinea 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 Guinea Paper Wasp's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Guinea Paper Wasp? 15-20 mm ### How long does Guinea Paper Wasp live? 20-365 days ### How fast can Guinea Paper Wasp fly? 15-25 km/h ### What does Guinea Paper Wasp eat? Adults drink nectar, while larvae feast on insects like caterpillars caught by adults. ### Where is Guinea Paper Wasp usually found? Guinea Paper Wasps are commonly found in gardens, forests, and areas with plenty of flowers. ### How does Guinea Paper Wasp hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Brookfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Leewood Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leewood-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [San Antonio Missions National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park) — Texas, US · National Park - [South Bonnie Brae Tract Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-bonnie-brae-tract-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Tennessee Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tennessee-aquarium) — Tennessee, US · Zoo - [Brackenridge Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brackenridge-park) — Texas, US · Park [View all places to see Guinea Paper Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/guinea-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: [Guinea Paper Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/guinea-paper-wasp)