# Western Paper Wasp (*Mischocyttarus flavitarsis*) The Western Paper Wasp is a friendly-looking insect that builds nests out of paper-like material. They are usually yellow and black and can be found buzzing around flowers and gardens. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Western Paper Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mischocyttarus_flavitarsis_Head_Closeup.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sanjay Acharya, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mischocyttarus_flavitarsis_Head_Closeup.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Paper Wasp is a slender wasp, primarily reddish-brown to black, marked with bright yellow stripes on its abdomen and a yellow face. Its long legs dangle visibly when in flight, and its wings are smoky brown, often appearing translucent. This coloring helps distinguish it from more robust, extensively yellow yellowjackets. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Vespidae - **Genus:** Mischocyttarus ## Interesting facts - The queen sometimes shares her nest-founding duties with other queens! - Unlike honey bees, paper wasps can sting many times without dying! - Western Paper Wasps can recognize the unique faces of their nest mates! - Young wasps in the nest signal hunger by scratching the walls of their cells! ## Special abilities - **Paper Architect:** Western Paper Wasps build strong, waterproof paper nests because they chew wood pulp with saliva, forming a durable material for their homes. - **Alarm Signal:** Western Paper Wasps can communicate danger to their colony because they release alarm pheromones, warning others of threats to the nest. - **Defensive Sting:** Western Paper Wasps have a painful sting that helps them defend their colony and paralyze insect prey, deterring many predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 13-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 50 ## Diet & Feeding These wasps are omnivores, feeding on sweet nectar and sugary fluids, but also hunting insects to feed their young. - **Age differences:** Adults mainly consume sugars, while larvae are fed protein-rich insects by workers. - **Primary Foods:** caterpillars, flies, spiders, nectar, honeydew - **Foraging Methods:** Pursuit, Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Cabbage White](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cabbage-white) (*Pieris rapae*) — Adult wasps capture caterpillars to feed their developing larvae. - **Eaten by:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — Crows and other birds may opportunistically raid wasp nests for larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — Wasps sometimes get caught in the sticky webs of orb-weaver spiders. ## 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. - [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 Stay calm and don't swat at wasps; they usually won't bother you if you don't bother them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western 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 Western Paper Wasp's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Western Paper Wasp? 13-20 mm ### How long does Western Paper Wasp live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Western Paper Wasp fly? 15 km/h ### What does Western Paper Wasp eat? These wasps are omnivores, feeding on sweet nectar and sugary fluids, but also hunting insects to feed their young. ### Where is Western Paper Wasp usually found? Urban areas ### How does Western Paper Wasp hunt? Pursuit and Foraging ## Where to spot - [Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/strattons-independence-mine-and-mill) — Colorado, US · Historic Site ## 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: [Western Paper Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-paper-wasp)