Bald-faced Hornet Nest Dolichovespula maculata
Bald-faced Hornet
Bald-faced Hornets nest around our property and in the eaves of our house.
An early nest is about the size and shape of a ping-pong ball, made of thin paper consisting of chewed wood pulp (1 | 2). In a few days, the female adds a tube extending downward.
The movie (6) shows one wasp landing on and entering the nest when it was quite small.
The first generation of young build a larger nest. In my experience, they are much more agressive, attacking me if I came too close.
After the first generation hatches, the original female continues to lay eggs (4) while the first generation feeds prechewed insects to later hatchlings. Adults feed on nectar and fruit.
According to Cornell University’s Entomology Department:
“As fall approaches, colonies produce males and new queens, which leave the nest to mate. Newly mated queens burrow into the ground, where they spend the winter. The workers, males, and the old queen perish in the fall. Nests are not reused.”