What material is used by yellowjackets to construct the enclosed paper-like nests?

Answer

Chewed wood pulp mixed with saliva

Yellowjackets create their characteristic enclosed nests by employing a sophisticated form of construction material analogous to paper. This material is fabricated when worker wasps vigorously chew wood into fine fibers, which are then mixed thoroughly with saliva. This mixture is applied layer by layer, resulting in a durable, paper-like substance used to construct a fully enclosed envelope around the brood combs. This enveloping structure provides superior thermal regulation and defense against environmental factors and predation compared to the exposed nests built by related species. The effort required for this construction is substantial, especially as the colony grows to house thousands of individuals by late summer.

What material is used by yellowjackets to construct the enclosed paper-like nests?

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