Creating Artificial Nesting Habitats for Polistes Wasps for Research Observation and to Encourage Biological Control
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Zettler
Location
Savannah Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Biology
Abstract
Paper wasps are often regarded as a nuisance because they build their nests in visible areas around human activity and can sting if threatened. However, gardeners welcome wasps as beneficial inhabitants for their pollinator and pest control services and can provide commercially available artificial nest boxes to attract a variety of wasps and bees. Yet one of the most common and widely distributed genus of paper wasps do not utilize traditional boxes. The goal of this project is to determine what conditions Polistes spp. favor for their nests and to use this information to create a nest box to attract wasps or can be used to relocate nuisance ones. Our preliminary observations found that P. metricus nests are built in protected areas with at least three sides of their nest in contact with a surface. In spring 2026, we aim to 1) determine if Polistes metricus prefers nests made with painted or unpainted wood with or without shade cloth, and 2) if the addition of a honey water lure will encourage nesting establishment. Replicates of 4 nest boxes constructed from recycled wood for each treatment will be set up in three different sites with established populations of P. metricus in Chatham County, Georgia to be monitored for nesting activity and will be reported.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-21-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Waller, Sarah and Brady, Belinda, "Creating Artificial Nesting Habitats for Polistes Wasps for Research Observation and to Encourage Biological Control" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 28.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/28
Creating Artificial Nesting Habitats for Polistes Wasps for Research Observation and to Encourage Biological Control
Savannah Ballroom
Paper wasps are often regarded as a nuisance because they build their nests in visible areas around human activity and can sting if threatened. However, gardeners welcome wasps as beneficial inhabitants for their pollinator and pest control services and can provide commercially available artificial nest boxes to attract a variety of wasps and bees. Yet one of the most common and widely distributed genus of paper wasps do not utilize traditional boxes. The goal of this project is to determine what conditions Polistes spp. favor for their nests and to use this information to create a nest box to attract wasps or can be used to relocate nuisance ones. Our preliminary observations found that P. metricus nests are built in protected areas with at least three sides of their nest in contact with a surface. In spring 2026, we aim to 1) determine if Polistes metricus prefers nests made with painted or unpainted wood with or without shade cloth, and 2) if the addition of a honey water lure will encourage nesting establishment. Replicates of 4 nest boxes constructed from recycled wood for each treatment will be set up in three different sites with established populations of P. metricus in Chatham County, Georgia to be monitored for nesting activity and will be reported.
