Paper wasp; Avispa papelera

Description:

Nest of Polistes nimpha, an eusocial paper wasp. They construct the nest with chewed wood, hence the name. Its nest is made of cellulose forming cells, which are adhered to the substrate by a single foot. This wasp is easily characterized because the dorsal part of the antennas is black and the ventral part is reddish. Females have a dark face with yellow lines and black eyes while males have yellow faces and eyes, see pictures 2 and 3. It is a predatory species, with well-developed jaws and a sting at the end of the abdomen, with which it can inject toxins that paralyze and kill their prey. These are offered to their larvae, which secrete a sweet liquid consumed by the adult. The adults also collect nectar from flowers. This wasp is a social insect forming colonies composed of fertile and working females, reaching 50 specimens. At the end of the summer, males and females will be born, will mate, and all the members of the colony will die, except the fertilized females who will spend the winter hidden in cavities.

Habitat:

Spotted at coastal dunes in an area with a small brook and plenty of reeds.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/800 sec.; f/10; ISO Speed Rating: 400. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No Flash fired