During the spring several females work together to construct a hanging nest of wood pulp and saliva. One female becomes the dominant queen. The first few generations in summer are all female wasps cared-for as larvae by unmated female workers.
Unfertilized eggs result in fertile males. Only a mated young queen will overwinter to begin the process all over again the following year. The old queen, workers and larvae die.
So far this winter I've come across two of their giant nests.
click on image to enlarge
Bigger than a basketball this nest is in great shape. It hasn't been torn-apart by the wild turkeys foraging for meal.
Unlike aggressive yellow jacket hornets the paper wasp is actually rather tolerant of people. Although they will defend their nest if they feel threatened.
I should return with a pole saw and fetch this nest. It would make for a cool conversation piece.
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