Paper Wasp

Polistes exclamans

Description:

This wasp is chewing off a chunk of a Sleepy Orange caterpillar. He eventually flies away with the chunk.

Habitat:

Senna tree seedling in my garden.

Notes:

Most wasps are beneficial in their natural habitat, and are critically important in natural biocontrol. Paper wasps feed on nectar, and other insects, including caterpillars, flies, and beetle larvae, and they are often considered to be beneficial by gardeners.