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Nest Structure

Each queen wasp begins her nest by constructing a cluster of hexagonal cells (a comb) hanging downwards, and laying one egg in each cell.

(Note: The developing nest always hangs down. This picture is an underside view of the developing queen nest.)

Once the first batch of worker wasps have emerged, they continue enlarging the nest by adding tiers of combs, all in a horizontal plane, and enlarging the protective covering of the nest.

The nest is constructed entirely from 'paper' manufactured by the wasps. They mix wood scraped from trees and posts with saliva to form a pulp.