Polistes wasps are one kind of paper wasp. They form small colonies with umbrella-shaped nests in sheltered spots, and are quite mild-mannered. They feed on caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects, most of them pests.
Actually all social wasps make nests from paper. The larger colonial species, Yellowjackets, Hornets, can be very defensive and should not be approached unless one is experienced. All are beneficial and should be protected if possible. In Europe, hornets are a threatened species and are protected by law.
Paper wasps gather fibers from old wood, chew them and mix with saliva to make a water-resistant gray paper. Humans may have learned to make paper from watching wasps. In the photo one can see a much roughed deck post from the continual gathering of wood fibers by wasps making nests.
post
Norwich, New York
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