The nest of paper wasps glow green under UV light, scientists have found, with the glow stretching as far as 360 and 400 nanometers in wavelength. Scientists are unsure why, though.

Under ultraviolet light, the silk that covers the base of paper-wasp nests turns neon green. By Katherine J. Wu. Bernd Schöllhorn and Serge Berthier. August 24, 2021. Share. Save.

Paper wasps build their nests by secreting chewing on wood or paper products. The chewing plus secretions from their bodies soften the pulp so that they can use it to construct their nests.

The nests of Asian paper wasps produce a brilliant, lime green glow when seen under ultraviolet light. In fact, the glow is so bright that you can see it from over sixty feet away!

Paper Wasps Paper wasps are 1-inch-long slender wasps with long legs and a distinct slender waist. Most Western species tend to be golden brown or darker with large patches of yellow or red.

Paper wasps make their nests out of, well, paper. Species in the subfamily of wasps known as paper wasps chew up bits of wood and bark, mixing it with their saliva, and spit out a rough papery pulp.

Paper wasps are social creatures and will vigorously defend their nests. They are most likely to sting when their nest is disturbed. They aren't aggressive when they're away from their nest.

The nest appears to have a paper mache texture and several honey-comb-like holes where the insects would live. The nest of Ropalidia jemmae, or Jemma’s social wasp, as seen in a lab. Photos from ...

Like paper wasps, bald-faced hornets feed their young insects, and the adults eat nectar. They build their nests in shrubs or trees, or under the eaves of buildings. Their nests are gray and pear ...