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Northern Paper Wasp

Polistes fuscatus

The Northern Paper Wasp is a friendly insect that makes its home in paper-like nests. They are important for helping flowers grow by spreading pollen while they search for food.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Northern Paper Wasp has a slender, dark reddish-brown to black body with distinct yellow bands on its abdomen. Its long legs hang down during flight, making it visually distinct from bees or yellowjackets. Its face may have variable yellow markings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyEumenidaeGenusPolistes
Northern Paper Wasp
Photo: HectonichusCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
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Northern Paper Wasp

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

15

Interesting facts

A single queen paper wasp starts a new colony all by herself each spring!

Adult wasps drink flower nectar and sweet honeydew for a quick energy boost!

They hang their umbrella-shaped nests by a tiny single stalk, often under eaves!

Wasp larvae are fed a protein-rich diet of chewed-up caterpillars and insects!

Special abilities

Ability

Paper Architect

Northern Paper Wasps can build impressive umbrella-shaped nests from chewed wood fibers mixed with their saliva, which protects their young.

Ability

Sharp Protector

Northern Paper Wasps have a potent sting used to defend their colony and paralyze prey, making them formidable defenders.

Ability

Face Reader

Northern Paper Wasps can recognize individual nest mates by their unique facial patterns, which helps maintain social order.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-35 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
20-365 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
50-200

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet nectar for energy, while their young feast on chewy insects.

Age differences: Adults primarily consume carbohydrates (nectar, honeydew), while larvae are fed protein-rich chewed insects by foraging adults.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Honeydew
  • Caterpillars
  • Flies
  • Beetle larvae
  • Spiders

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

If you see a wasp, watch it from a distance and don’t bother its nest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Northern 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 Northern Paper Wasp's wingspan?

25-35 mm

How big is Northern Paper Wasp?

15-20 mm

How long does Northern Paper Wasp live?

20-365 days

How fast can Northern Paper Wasp fly?

20 km/h

What does Northern Paper Wasp eat?

Adults sip sweet nectar for energy, while their young feast on chewy insects.

Where is Northern Paper Wasp usually found?

Urban areas

How does Northern Paper Wasp hunt?

Foraging

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