Wasps are insects that belong to the order Hymenoptera and correspond to a highly diverse group that includes many species developed globally, with the exception of the polar areas. Due to their great diversity, they also have different types of habits. For example, some are social and form groups, while others are solitary. They also have different ways of feeding, since some consume plant matter and certain species of nectar, and other wasps are predators and parasites.
Another of the varied aspects of these insects is that referring to the nests they build, since they form different shelters depending on the group to which they belong. In this article on our site we want to present you with information about the types of wasp nests that exist so you can learn to identify them. Dare to continue reading and find out what they are.
What are wasp nests like?
As we mentioned, wasps are insects with a great variety of species, so this gives rise to a wide range of important ecological habits, including the shelters or nests they produce. In this sense, wasp nests can be of various shapes, such as rounded or spherical, elongatedlike a vase or lacking a particular shape Also, in some cases, there is only one honeycomb, while in others the nest is made up of several honeycombs that are surrounded by a protective cover, which can have one or more entrances.
As for the sizes, they are also different. Some nests are small to medium, but [1]have been reported giant wasps' nests of about 2.5 meters , with a population of about 1,000 individuals. On the other hand, the color of the nest depends fundamentally on the material used by the wasps to make it, so it can be grey, light brown, black, whitish, light yellow and even fluorescent green.
Meet the different types of wasps that exist to learn about the different species.
How and where do wasps make their nests?
Wasps come to build nests in various ways and certain species, such as the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), have a main nestwhich is built by the queen, small in size, about 5 cm, and will inhabit it with some workers. Then, they leave this nest and make the secondary one, first in a rounded shape so that later it changes into a pear-shaped one, reaching up to 80 cm in diameter.
One of the most common ways to make the various types of wasps' nests is by using plant material, such as wood pulp, which can be mixed with mud or plant secretions (resin). The wasp will take the materials and will bind them with its saliva by chewing them, which will produce a mix to build the nest.
Where do wasps make their nests?
The places where these animals make their nests vary, so some make them in trees, which offers them some protection and freshness, fixing them on the trunk or branches. Others choose to use constructions in our homes, but they also make them in holes, cracks and even cavities in the ground The nests can be arranged vertically or horizontally and are well fixed to the surface, either by the side of the nest itself or by the elaboration of a peduncle from which it hangs.
The social wasps make communal nests, which are made from collective work and under the common hierarchy established by these insects, such is the case of Dolichovespula media and Agelaia multipicta. For their part, the solitary species, such as some members of the Eumeninae subfamily known as "potter wasps", make individual nestsformed by a mixture of mud and vegetable matter that they process. Some species also use various cavities in walls or different places to use them as a nest. In certain cases, solitary wasps of the same species come together to form a communal nest, but each individual works independently and is concerned only with feeding its larvae, which are located in individual cells.
Types of wasps' nests
We can differentiate the types of wasp nests by the material used to make them and by the shape Thus, depending on the material, we find wasps' nests made from vegetable fiber and wasps' nests made from clay. Regarding the shape, we distinguish between honeycomb, individual or underground nests.
Let's learn more about the different types of wasp nests:
Plant fiber nests
As we have mentioned, one of the materials that wasps use to make their nests is vegetable fiber, such as wood pulp, which they soften with their mouthparts and saliva, although they can mix it with other materials. This type is made mainly from this part of the plant and they are usually nests of lesser hardness It is common to call these as "paper nests".
Mud Nests
The mud or mud is another material used by these cunning insects to build their nests. They are easily appreciated when this is their main component due to their sandy texture and greyish color When they dry, these wasp nests tend to be harder than the previous ones.
Honeycomb nests
Wasps can make nests made up of a series of individual cells that group together to form a honeycomb that houses the eggs that will become larvae. These nests can be in addition to two types:
- Protected by a cover that surrounds the entire honeycomb, so that it is not possible to see inside it.
- Without wrapper above.
These wasp nests are made mainly of vegetable fiber such as wood pulp.
Individual Nests
There are also solitary species that, in some cases, design smaller nests, which are used individually to lay their eggs and are mostly built with mud.
Underground Nests
Some species use holes or cavities in the ground, but also in the wall or any place they find available, including abandoned burrows, within which they elaborate the different cells for the position of the eggs. These cells are made with vegetable matter and, in some cases, they can close the entrance with mud. It is common for them to leave larvae of other animals inside for the wasp to feed on.
What to do if I find a wasp nest at home?
Some wasps can be dangerous for sensitive or allergic people, since certain species can sting and even be very aggressive. In this sense, if a wasp nest is found at home and it is small, indicating the existence of very few individuals, you can try to remove it with the intention of making the mimes go away, but always taking great care to avoid some accident. However, if the nest is no longer so small, the best option is to call some specialists, which could be the fire department.
Wasps fulfill an important ecological function within ecosystems as biological controllers and, although to a lesser extent than other insects, as pollinators. For this reason, whenever possible, it is important to drive them away without the use of chemicals that end up killing them, and that, in addition, affect other insects and leave polluting traces in the environment. In this other article we explain how to drive away wasps without harming them.
