Paper Wasp
What is paper wasp?
Key facts
A paper wasp is a social vespid wasp, usually in the subfamily *Polistinae* or genus *Polistes*, that builds papery nests from chewed wood and saliva [4].
Context
Paper wasps are social vespid wasps, usually referring to members of the subfamily *Polistinae* or the genus *Polistes* [2]. They make papery nests from chewed wood and saliva [4]. The term can also colloquially include hornets, yellowjackets, and Stenogastrinae that build paper nests [2]. They are predatory and feed on caterpillars and other insects [5]. Their nests are typically open, single-comb structures [1].
Documented claims
Questions and answers
How aggressive is a paper wasp?
Paper wasps are social wasps and can be defensive of their nests, but they are not typically aggressive away from it [2].
What's the difference between a wasp and a paper wasp?
Paper wasps are a type of wasp in the family Vespidae, known for their papery nests made from chewed wood and saliva [4].
How do you get rid of a paper wasp?
Removal usually involves locating and treating the open, single-comb nest, often with insecticide, but professional help is recommended for safety [1].
Sources
- Paper wasp | Social, Predatory & Nests | Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Paper Wasp - Entomology | NC State Extension — entomology.ces.ncsu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Paper Wasps | Cornell IPM — cals.cornell.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Social Wasps: Yellowjackets, Hornets, and Paper Wasps — extension.umd.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Paper Wasps | VCE Publications - Virginia Tech — pubs.ext.vt.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)