# Wasp the Builder (DD-563)

> Paper wasps and their relatives build nests from wood fibers chewed and mixed with saliva into a papery pulp. In spring a queen starts the nest on a sheltered surface, builds the first hexagonal cells, lays eggs and raises the first workers, which then take over expanding the nest with more cells and, in many species, a protective outer envelope. The footage, credited to in_sideout._, shows a wasp building a nest.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2025-05-05
- Last updated: 2025-05-05
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/wasp-the-builder/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-563-F01**: Chewed wood fiber. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Material))_
- **DD-563-F02**: Saliva. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Binder))_

## Write-up

Wasps make paper by chewing wood. A single queen starts each nest in spring.

1. **Material**: Chewed wood fiber.
2. **Binder**: Saliva.
3. **Founder**: Queen.
4. **Cells**: Hexagonal.
5. **Season**: Spring start.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Wasp the Builder: Wasps Make Paper by Chewing Wood

- Duration: 24.8 s · Published: 2025-05-05
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DJRg7PBOLHJ.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, wasps build their nests by chewing wood fibers mixed with their saliva to form a papery pulp which they use to craft thin but durable walls. A queen typically starts the nest in spring, attaching it to a sheltered surface like a tree branch, eave, or underground cavity. She constructs the first few hexagonal cells, lays eggs in them, and feeds the larvae until they mature into workers. These worker wasps then take over construction, expanding the nests by layering additional cells and protective outer walls. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Nest material?**  
A: Paper. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Material) · Wikipedia: Paper wasp)_

**Q: Who starts the nest?**  
A: Spring. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Binder) · Wikipedia: Paper wasp)_

**Q: Cell shape?**  
A: Comb. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Founder) · Wikipedia: Paper wasp)_

**Q: Mixed with?**  
A: Pulp. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Cells) · Wikipedia: Paper wasp)_

**Q: Who expands it?**  
A: Colony. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Season) · Wikipedia: Paper wasp)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Paper wasp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_wasp)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Wasp the Builder." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-563, last updated May 5, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/wasp-the-builder/