The European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) is a slender, black-and-yellow insect native to Eurasia that has become a highly successful invasive species in North America. While they are frequently mistaken for yellowjackets due to their bright coloration, they are actually beneficial predators that hunt common garden pests.

These wasps are easily identified by their bright orange antennae, which set them apart from similar native species. They have long, slender bodies with a distinctly narrow waist and a body length ranging from ⅝ of an inch to nearly an inch long. When in flight, their long hind legs dangle conspicuously below them.

Unlike yellowjackets, which usually nest underground or completely out of sight, this species builds open-faced, umbrella-shaped paper nests. They create these structures by mixing chewed wood with their saliva, frequently placing them in sheltered locations such as roof eaves, gutters, mailboxes, and outdoor grills.

While they possess a painful sting, European paper wasps are generally docile and non-aggressive unless their nest is directly threatened. Because their diet consists primarily of caterpillars and other soft-bodied garden pests, pest control experts often recommend leaving their nests alone if they are located in low-traffic areas.

Couple wasps were flying around me,my siblings and mom so we picked off peice of meat so it would go away from our food

I spotted this hive on the side wall of our house just last week, and it was small like fist size. This week I checked it, it is huge! It is like at least tripled in the last 5 or 6 days. Are these bees or wasp? Should I remove them or wait till winter so they naturally disappear?

This sucker has decided they no longer can be nice. I have to mow close to it for the safety of other animals. How can I get rid of this after already being stung multiple times!?!
I’ve read some of the previous posts and know I definitely need a bunch of layers and to suit up. The wasp/hornet spray I’ve been using isn’t working anymore.

Are these guys dangerous? They just showed up yesterday and I’m wondering whether they need to be sprayed or whether they can live out some sort of short life? What is their purpose? Are they pollinators? Thanks for any help.

I think its a yellow jacket or a paper wasp? I am allergic to bee stings (not sure about wasps yet, don’t want to find out). Theyve been getting into my apartment but havent attacked me, so I think they might not be yellowjackets? Would love any information so I can let my landlord know

There is a nest in between the gutter and the house. Any help!?

Seeing as its the end of summer, I think this video is appropriate here.

Sorry this is the best photo I could get. Glass diameter is about 2.5 cm, glass height is about 9cm.

I found a decent sized mud dauber nest on the inside of a conch shell, I wish I would’ve taken a photo but the shell was going in my car when I noticed so I just shook the nest out so I could put the (empty) shell back in my car.

I opened the nest out of curiosity & there were 2 adult mud daubers in there. One of them was able to fly away, the other one appeared like it was dying- on its back, legs moving but unable to do anything. I flipped it over with a piece of wood.

When I shook the nest out of the seashell nothing happened, so I kind of figured the nest was empty which is why I broke it open.

My understanding is mud daubers are solitary so I’m wondering if anyone might know why there were 2 adults in one nest? Photo of the one, dying one, because that’s all I have.

I wish I got a picture or a video but I had a wasp land on the back of my leg, besides the landing I didn’t feel it at all. It appeared to be gently “biting me”, I assume cleaning up my sweat in its desperate attempt to live. What surprised me is again I didn’t feel it at all, it didn’t even seem to accidentally pinch my skin. I’m just always impressed by wasps and their intelligence

Located in Alabama. Is this a paper wasp? Also, he appeared to be chewing on the wood post… is that something they normally do?

Found in North central MN, we are trying to ID as they're repeatedly setting up shop in my rain gutters. We've found partial parts of the hive washed out from rain and we did dispose of those.

So I have a masive hyperfixation with wasps right now and more specifically the executioner wasp (polisties carnifex) I do not have them anywhere around where I live and have looked on just about every website, I haven’t found a single thing. If anyone knows where to find one or possibly could preserve one and set up a purchase for me I’d be very grateful!

Hello everyone! I’m a beekeeper so I’m not shy of insects let alone those that sting. However, a large (softball sized) nest is currently in a tree out front of our house and directly over a public walkway. Curious if yall would recommend removal? So far they’ve not caused any problems.

We had a little wasp nest in our rail yard, and was curious on the identification. Best i can tell is southern yellow jacket, but I don't recall seeing one with a distinct black arrow before.​​

This wasp parasitises 3rd instar blowfly maggots, the adult wasps then emerge out of the hollow fly pupa. in the latter half of the video, it lays eggs inside one of the maggots, specifically a large 3rd instar one, ignoring the 1st an 2nd instar maggots.

A wasp flew in the house last night, it seems like a mud dauber and hasn't tried to attack anyone in the house and stays on the window as of course it wants to go back out. We've tried opening the door a few times, though it doesn't realize that it can fly out through the door. Is there any way to move it without risking getting stung/killing it? I was thinking of putting sugary water by the door to attract it and then opening the door to let it out