How do Wasp colonies develop?
Fertilised queen wasps emerge from hibernation around mid April and commence building the nest. Individual chambers are created inside the nest into which she lays her eggs. She feeds the hatched larvae on insects and other invertebrates until they pupate as sterile female workers. These then take over the task of enlarging the nest and collecting food for the subsequent larva. By late summer the nest may contain up to 5000 individuals; fertile males and females are then produced and mating occurs.
