The Paper Makers
Posted by Savanah Pantages on January 10, 2005
Q: I am doing a project on wasps the north amercian kind British Columbia Canada. I was wondering do wasps build there nests close to each other or are they teritorial?
thank you!
A: Interesting question - I don't have a definitive answer but do have some thoughts.
To the best of my knowledge, paper wasps are neither territorial nor "colonial" nesters. In the spring, young queens seek out appropriate nest sites and begin construction of their nest. Although it is common to find multiple nests on a building or porch area, I think this is the result of it being a suitable site rather than an effort of the wasps to build together. You're just as likely to find a solitary paper wasp nest as multiple ones at any given location. It does occur to me that a site that has multiple nests (many more wasps in a specific location) may be better able to ward off predators than a single nest - just a thought. Would make an interesting bit of research. Hope this helps.
John Wiessinger ( January 12, 2005)