Adults are one-half to 1 inch long. They are usually black, dark brown with light markings, or red.
Only fertilized females survive from one year to the next. They overwinter in crevices and buildings in the coldest areas. In spring, these females chew wood into a pulp to construct cells in which they will lay their eggs. The nests usually grow larger as the season progresses. The eggs hatch into larvae that remain in the cells, where they are fed bits of pre-chewed caterpillars by the female wasp. The larvae pupate in their cells, then hatch into adult wasps. The first broods are worker females which assist the queen by building more cells for egg laying; males hatch mostly toward the end of the season and fertilize the females.
Paper wasps, along with hornets and yellow jakcets, are members of the "vespid" family. Most of these insects have similar life cycles and prey on caterpillars to feed their young. Hornets and yellow jackets build their nests in warm spots under roofs or eaves, especially in the North. ALL vespids will attack and sting humans if their nests are disturbed. Paper wasps are much more docile than hornets and yellow jackets and it is very unlikely that they will sting you while they are out hunting for caterpillars.
They will eat many kinds of caterpillars including tobacco hornworms, imported cabbageworms, gypsy moth caterpillars, etc.
Very nice creature to have in your garden every year. China caters to wasps in their fields to control caterpillars. Studies show they cut caterpillar damage up to 60%. You can attract wasps to your garden by building small 6 inch quare bottomless nesting boxes for them. Wasps usually will reuse the nesting boxes. In the North, paint the boxes black or cover their roofs with tar paper to warm them up. And remember, never disturb their nesting areas while they are inhabited by wasps. Stings don't feel nice and can be dangerous to someone allergic. I have many scars from just playing in the yard as a kid...one of those is right smack in the middle of my nose. I've had this dark circle scar since just before I started third grade. I guess you could say I've got character.
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