# Umbrella Paper Wasps (*polistes*) Umbrella Paper Wasps are fascinating insects that build their nests out of paper-like material. They are known for their unique umbrella-shaped nests and colorful bodies. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** They live in open areas like gardens, forests, and fields. - **Also known as:** Paper Wasps, Polistes Wasps, Umbrella Wasps ![Umbrella Paper Wasps](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Polistes_sp_wasp.jpg&width=800) Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim ( www.micro2macro.net ), GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polistes_sp_wasp.jpg) ## Appearance The Umbrella Paper Wasp has a slender body with a distinctive narrow waist, typically marked with alternating bands of black and bright yellow or orange. Its wings are often folded lengthwise over its back when at rest, and its long legs dangle noticeably during flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Eumenidae - **Genus:** Polistes ## Interesting facts - If you watch closely, you might see them dragging their long legs in flight, which is super distinctive! - Some species of paper wasps are known to recognize the individual faces of their nest mates. Wow! - Their unique, open-faced nests look like small, inverted paper umbrellas attached by a single stalk! - They use tiny wood fibers from fences and dead plants, mixing them with saliva to create their strong nests. ## Special abilities - **Paper Architect:** Umbrella Paper Wasps can chew wood fibers mixed with saliva to build waterproof, open-faced nests, providing shelter for their colony. - **Stinging Defense:** Umbrella Paper Wasps has a potent sting because of a venomous barb that helps them defend their nest and paralyze small prey. - **Prey Hunter:** Umbrella Paper Wasps can actively hunt caterpillars and other insects, helping them provide protein-rich food for their growing larvae. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 50 ## Diet & Feeding They feast on nectar for energy and hunt insects to feed their young. - **Age differences:** Adults consume nectar and plant sap, while larvae are fed chewed insects by workers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Caterpillars, Flies, Spiders, Sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Cabbage White Butterfly (*Pieris rapae*) — Feeds on larvae - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Yellowjacket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-yellowjacket) (*Vespula maculifrons*) — Will prey on adult wasps - **Pollinates:** Wild Carrot (*Daucus carota*) — Visits flowers for nectar - **Parasitizes:** Cuckoo Wasp (*Chrysura pacifica*) — Lays eggs in nests ## 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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 their nests; they can sting if threatened. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Umbrella Paper Wasps? 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 Umbrella Paper Wasps's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Umbrella Paper Wasps? 15-25 mm ### How long does Umbrella Paper Wasps live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Umbrella Paper Wasps fly? 20 km/h ### What does Umbrella Paper Wasps eat? They feast on nectar for energy and hunt insects to feed their young. ### Where is Umbrella Paper Wasps usually found? They live in open areas like gardens, forests, and fields. ### How does Umbrella Paper Wasps hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Alabama Drive Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-drive-park) — Virginia, US · Park ## 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: [Umbrella Paper Wasps: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/umbrella-paper-wasps)