Unlike some wasps, paper wasps are social insects that live in a colony. A female wasp, called a foundress, starts her own colony by first building a nest. Using wood as a building material, she builds a nest of several cells. She then lays an egg in each cell and hunts insects to place in each cell as food for the larvae. As the eggs develop, the female cares for the nest by keeping it cool and dry. After the larvae hatch, they take up their roles in this insect society.
