"Paper Wasp"

#12791456

24 September 2025

A paper wasp nest is in a maple tree as the autumn season begins in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 21, 2025.

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#12671426

24 August 2025

Bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) eat a rotting watermelon in Markham, Ontario, Canada, on August 23, 2025.

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#12665639

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12665641

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12665642

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12665644

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12665646

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12665647

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12665648

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12665649

22 August 2025

A greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) shelters inside human footwear in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on August 1, 2025. Native to southern Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, the species has recently been identified as invasive on Guam. The hornet preys on paper wasps, honeybees and dragonflies, and is known to raid the nests of other wasps to capture larvae as food. Its sting can inject neuro

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#12302955

25 April 2025

Remains of a paper wasp nest are seen in a maple tree in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on April 23, 2025.

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#11244148

16 May 2024

The yellow paper wasp (Polistes olivaceus), also known as tattaiyas, is recognized for its strikingly vivid yellow coloration, an uncommon characteristic among wasp species. Their unique thermal regulatory system enables them to thrive in various climates. The Indian yellow paper wasp lays 10-20 eggs after establishing a nest. The eggs take about 6.5 days to develop into immature stages, and the entire colony cycle lasts about 270 days. Yellow paper wasps play a significant role in the ecosystem as pollinators and by preying on certain insect pests. They construct paper-like nests that resemble umbrellas. The yellow paper wasp has a stinger at its tail, which can sting people. However, it is not aggressive and rarely attacks humans unless it feels threatened. Nevertheless, it should be treated with caution as its sting is very painful and can cause redness and swelling. The photo of the yellow paper wasp nest was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on May 16, 2024.

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#11244158

16 May 2024

The yellow paper wasp (Polistes olivaceus), also known as tattaiyas, is recognized for its strikingly vivid yellow coloration, an uncommon characteristic among wasp species. Their unique thermal regulatory system enables them to thrive in various climates. The Indian yellow paper wasp lays 10-20 eggs after establishing a nest. The eggs take about 6.5 days to develop into immature stages, and the entire colony cycle lasts about 270 days. Yellow paper wasps play a significant role in the ecosystem as pollinators and by preying on certain insect pests. They construct paper-like nests that resemble umbrellas. The yellow paper wasp has a stinger at its tail, which can sting people. However, it is not aggressive and rarely attacks humans unless it feels threatened. Nevertheless, it should be treated with caution as its sting is very painful and can cause redness and swelling. The photo of the yellow paper wasp nest was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on May 16, 2024.

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#11244160

16 May 2024

The yellow paper wasp (Polistes olivaceus), also known as tattaiyas, is recognized for its strikingly vivid yellow coloration, an uncommon characteristic among wasp species. Their unique thermal regulatory system enables them to thrive in various climates. The Indian yellow paper wasp lays 10-20 eggs after establishing a nest. The eggs take about 6.5 days to develop into immature stages, and the entire colony cycle lasts about 270 days. Yellow paper wasps play a significant role in the ecosystem as pollinators and by preying on certain insect pests. They construct paper-like nests that resemble umbrellas. The yellow paper wasp has a stinger at its tail, which can sting people. However, it is not aggressive and rarely attacks humans unless it feels threatened. Nevertheless, it should be treated with caution as its sting is very painful and can cause redness and swelling. The photo of the yellow paper wasp nest was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on May 16, 2024.

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#11167710

22 April 2024

A thirsty juvenile yellow paper-wasp (Polistes olivaceus) drinks water from a small puddle on a wall during a heat wave in West Bengal. The state is experiencing an intense heat wave, with temperatures in some areas exceeding 45.1 degrees Celsius. Yellow paper-wasps are often found near water sources as they need to stay hydrated, particularly during hot and dry conditions. Wasps do not merely drink water; they also mix it with wood pulp to construct their nests, use it to cool their nests on hot days, and share it with their nest mates and larvae. These insects collect and transfer water by first swallowing it and then regurgitating it into the mouths of other wasps, in a process known as trophallaxis. Wasps can often be found hovering near water, which is vital for their hydration, especially in extreme heat and dryness. However, they must be cautious because if their wings become too wet, they will be unable to fly. This photo was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India on April 22, 2024.

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#11167711

22 April 2024

A thirsty juvenile yellow paper-wasp (Polistes olivaceus) drinks water from a small puddle on a wall during a heat wave in West Bengal. The state is experiencing an intense heat wave, with temperatures in some areas exceeding 45.1 degrees Celsius. Yellow paper-wasps are often found near water sources as they need to stay hydrated, particularly during hot and dry conditions. Wasps do not merely drink water; they also mix it with wood pulp to construct their nests, use it to cool their nests on hot days, and share it with their nest mates and larvae. These insects collect and transfer water by first swallowing it and then regurgitating it into the mouths of other wasps, in a process known as trophallaxis. Wasps can often be found hovering near water, which is vital for their hydration, especially in extreme heat and dryness. However, they must be cautious because if their wings become too wet, they will be unable to fly. This photo was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India on April 22, 2024.

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