The paper wasp, a social insect belonging to the genus Polistes, exhibits a shift in dietary needs throughout its life cycle. Its food requirements change dramatically between the adult and larval stages, creating two distinct nutritional pathways within the colony. Adults seek simple carbohydrates for energy, while simultaneously hunting for protein to sustain the developing young. Understanding this complex feeding behavior clarifies the wasp’s daily activities and its role in the environment.
What Adult Paper Wasps Eat
Adult paper wasps, including queens and workers, require a steady source of energy to fuel foraging flights and colony maintenance. Their diet is based almost entirely on carbohydrates and simple sugars. Sources like flower nectar are frequently consumed, providing the necessary fuel for flight and work.
They also exploit other plant-derived sugars, such as sweet sap from damaged tree bark or juices from fallen, ripe fruits. Another source of sugar is honeydew, a sugary liquid secreted by plant-sucking insects like aphids. Since the adult wasp’s narrow body constriction limits them to a liquid-only diet, these high-energy fluids meet their immediate metabolic needs.
Protein for the Young: Hunting and Feeding Larvae
The greatest demand for protein comes from the developing larvae, which require a nutrient-dense diet for rapid growth. Adult worker wasps are effective hunters, focusing their efforts on soft-bodied arthropods. Caterpillars are a primary target, with wasps actively seeking out common garden pests like corn earworms, armyworms, and cabbage loopers.
Upon capturing prey, the adult wasp uses its mandibles to masticate the insect, chewing it into a smooth, protein-rich paste. This mass is then delivered directly to the waiting larvae. The larvae reciprocate by secreting a clear, sugary liquid containing amino acids that the adult wasps consume. This mutual exchange of nutrients, known as trophallaxis, is a fundamental mechanism that binds the colony together.
The Paper Wasp’s Role in the Ecosystem
The specialized hunting behavior of the paper wasp positions it as an effective natural pest control agent in many ecosystems. By preying on soft-bodied insect larvae, particularly caterpillars, the wasps reduce populations of common agricultural and garden pests. This predatory pressure benefits surrounding plant life and contributes to biological control.
While their primary goal when visiting flowers is to collect nectar for energy, paper wasps also inadvertently contribute to pollination. As they move from bloom to bloom, pollen grains adhere to their bodies and are transferred, making them secondary pollinators for various plant species. This combination of insect predation and pollination demonstrates the paper wasp’s impact on its environment.