Wasp Bungalow
Title: Wasp Bungalow
Year: 2001
Description: This is a Rothney’s paper wasp nest. This wasp scrapes fibers from plants and mixes them with its oral secretions. Through mastication, pulp is formed for building a nest. The nest is fairly thick, with a centrally located petiole and is fairly flat above the comb. Larger nests have more than 700 cells and the nest of this species is significantly larger than that of other paper wasps.
Insect: Rothney’s paper wasp Polistes (Gyrostoma) rothneyi Cameron, 1900
Order Hymenoptera
Family Vespidae
Subfamily Polistinae
Tribe: Polistini
Introduction: Rothney’s paper wasp is a medium-sized and common wasp in Taiwan. It has a length of 1.6-1.7 centimeters and is widely distributed in mid-to-low elevation areas throughout Taiwan. It likes to build its nests on tree branches, in thick growths of grass, or on the outside of buildings. Its colonies tend to be large, often reaching into the hundreds. This species is highly aggressive. Do not get too close to its nest to avoid triggering an attack.
Photographed by: Zhang Jia-Hao
