# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Northern Paper Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Vespidae_-_Polistes_fuscatus.JPG&width=800) Photo: Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vespidae_-_Polistes_fuscatus.JPG) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Eumenidae - **Genus:** Polistes ## 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 - **Paper Architect:** Northern Paper Wasps can build impressive umbrella-shaped nests from chewed wood fibers mixed with their saliva, which protects their young. - **Sharp Protector:** Northern Paper Wasps have a potent sting used to defend their colony and paralyze prey, making them formidable defenders. - **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 - **Hunts:** Eastern Tent Caterpillar (*Malacosoma americanum*) — Wasps hunt these caterpillars to feed their developing larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Black-billed Magpie](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-billed-magpie) (*Pica hudsonia*) — Birds like magpies may raid wasp nests for eggs, larvae, or adults. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adult wasps visit goldenrod flowers to collect nectar, aiding pollination. ## 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. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [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 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 ## Where to spot - [Brookfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dubuque-arboretum-and-botanical-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Hooes Road Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hooes-road-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Lilacia Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lilacia-park) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Olbrich Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/olbrich-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Salem Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salem-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Northern Paper Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-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: [Northern Paper Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-paper-wasp)