European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula
A slender wasp that builds its nest from paper
The European paper wasp chews plant fibre mixed with saliva to build an open, papery nest. Its body is slender with an extremely thin waist, and it is gentler than hornets, stinging only when disturbed.
Key figures
- Length
- About 13–19 mm
- Nest
- Builds an open paper nest from chewed plant fibre
- Life cycle
- The queen builds alone after overwintering; the colony peaks in late summer
- Habitat
- Sheltered spots such as eaves and shrub branches
- Diet
- Nectar, and chewed insects fed to the larvae
- Feature
- A slender body with an extremely thin waist
Life cycle
Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult
Ecological role
It hunts caterpillars and other pests to feed its larvae, making it a useful ally in orchards and gardens.
Did you know
Paper wasps remember landmarks around the nest and can fly back to their own cell after foraging.
Range
Europe, North America, East Asia (spread)
Status
Common
Anatomy
- Mandible — Used to chew plant fibre for nest-building and insects for the larvae
- Stinger — Smooth, without a barb, so it can sting repeatedly
- Wings — Folded lengthwise at rest, the typical paper-wasp pose
- Compound eye — Kidney-shaped compound eyes work with the antennae to navigate
- Antenna — Senses odours to recognise the nest and its nestmates
- Waist — The extremely thin petiole is the paper wasp's most striking feature
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