Paper wasps get their common name from the paper-like material out of which they make their nests. They are a group of several species of vespid wasp. These stinging insects are semi-social creatures, as they typically live in small colonies but do not have a worker caste. There are about 22 known paper wasp species in North America, and hundreds in the world.

These wasps are usually non-aggressive. However, if you disturb their nest, especially the underground kind, they’ll defend it just like a honeybee colony would.