Paper wasp

A young paper wasp queen (Polistes dominula) starting a new colony

Paper wasps are 3/4 inch to 1 inch (2-2.5 cm)-long wasps that gather fibers from dead wood and plant stems, which they mix with saliva, and use to construct water-resistant nests made of gray or brown papery material.

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  A Paper Wasp building its nest.
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  Female Paper Wasp tending to a nest.
  Polistes biglumis
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  Closeup of several slender, narrow-waisted paper wasps (the wings are folded back while at rest).
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  Another paper wasp nest
  Polistes stigma
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  European Paper Wasp
  Polistes dominula
  Nectaring on milkweed
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  Polistes dominula
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  A Western Paper Wasp
  Mischocyttarus flavitarsis
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  Dark Paper Wasp - Polistes fuscatus
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  Asian Paper Wasp - Polistes chinensis