Wasp central

Visting an empty hive in an unused apiary today, I discovered this hanging from the queen excluder.




It's the beginnings of a wasp (yellowjacket -- Vespula vulgaris [pdf]) nest (photographed upside down), but I think the queen abandoned it or died before any eggs were laid.

The curious thing was that the wasp had built it absolutely central in the hive body (count the wire mesh). No coincidence that, but how did she do it? One of the wonders of nature.


 

So if you really hate wasps (as many do), think of the architectural genius you are killing next time you swat one.