What do polistes wasps do during the fall?

Polistes wasps, commonly referred to as paper wasps, exhibit a specific behavior during the fall as part of their life cycle. As the cooler temperatures approach, the adult wasps begin to abandon their nests. This is primarily because, with the end of summer, the established colonies start to decline. The queens, who have mated earlier in the season, will seek out a safe location to overwinter, while the workers and males typically die off as temperatures drop and food becomes scarce.

This seasonal behavior is crucial for the survival of the species, as it allows the queens to successfully find a suitable environment to survive the winter months and eventually emerge in spring to establish new colonies. The abandonment of nests ensures that they are not left exposed to the elements and potential predation during the winter. Understanding this cycle is essential for anyone studying pest control, as it informs both the timing and methods of managing wasp populations.