Paper wasp

Found in temperate and tropical regions, often building umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves, branches, and decks.

Adults feed on nectar and plant sap, while they hunt caterpillars and other insects to feed their larvae.

They live in small colonies with a single egg-laying queen and sterile female workers. They are generally non-aggressive unless their nest is directly threatened.

They pose a stinging hazard that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. They benefit the ecosystem by controlling garden pest insect populations and performing minor pollination.