Vespiary

A vespiary is a nest or colony of wasps. It refers specifically to the structure or place where social wasps (like yellow jackets or paper wasps) build their nests.

Key points about a vespiary:

• Built by: Social wasps (family Vespidae)

• Structure: Made of paper-like material, created by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva

• Location: Can be found hanging from trees, shrubs, buildings, underground, or in sheltered cavities

• Purpose: Houses the queen, workers, larvae, and eggs; center of wasp colony activity

Related terms:

• Apiary: A place where bees (honeybees) are kept (beehives)

• Ant colony: A nest or community of ants

• Termitary: A termite nest.

• A vespiary is a nest or colony of wasps. It refers specifically to the structure or place where social wasps (like yellow jackets or paper wasps) build their nests.

  Key points about a vespiary:

  • Built by: Social wasps (family Vespidae)

  • Structure: Made of paper-like material, created by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva

  • Location: Can be found hanging from trees, shrubs, buildings, underground, or in sheltered cavities

  • Purpose: Houses the queen, workers, larvae, and eggs; center of wasp colony activity

  Related terms:

  • Apiary: A place where bees (honeybees) are kept (beehives)

  • Ant colony: A nest or community of ants

  • Termitary: A termite nest

Types of Wasps That Build Vespiaries

Common Name & Genus / Species & Key Characteristics & Nest Type / Location

Yellowjackets

Vespula spp., Dolichovespula spp.

Aggressive, social; black and yellow striped bodies

Large paper nests, often underground or in cavities

Paper Wasps

Polistes spp.

Slender bodies, long legs that dangle in flight

Open comb nests hanging from eaves, branches

Hornets

Vespa spp. (e.g., Vespa crabro)

Larger, more robust; aggressive defenders

Large aerial paper nests in trees or buildings

Baldfaced Hornet

Dolichovespula maculata

Black and white coloration; aggressive

Large aerial paper nests, often football-shaped

European Hornet

Vespa crabro

Largest wasp in many regions; yellow and brown coloration

Large aerial nests, often inside hollow trees or attics

Nest Construction Details

• Wasps scrape wood fibers, mix with saliva to make a papery pulp.

• The nest consists of layered combs with hexagonal cells.

• Vespiaries can range from small (~100 wasps) to huge colonies with thousands.

Social Behaviour

• Colonies have a queen that lays eggs.

• Workers (sterile females) maintain the nest, forage, and defend.

• Males and new queens develop later in the season for reproduction.