Day 2 of seriously observing the wasps, I’ve managed to spot them building more chambers on the nest, I believe I’ve spotted two mating, and I’ve witnessed one going around to the others, touching antennae and mandibles together with them like a “kiss”. As well, I’ve noted they’re completely still at night, including the pulsing of the abdomen going still, presumably asleep. If this is the case then I have a theory they take midday naps, as at around 12 PM most went still on the nest today.
Interestingly, the wasps don’t seem to be able to see through the glass. I haven’t seen any assume a defensive posture in response to my watching them from only inches away, and as a curiosity I tapped the window to see if they responded to the sound. A few tilted their heads toward the window, but none reacted further. I wonder if this is because paper wasps are notably docile or because they can’t pick up on my scent/breathing through the glass. I plan to test their reaction to light at night.
The kissing is not only feeling to make sure they know each other but sometimes sharing liquid food!I think glass might have too much glare and reflection to them to see through it, however they are very visually oriented animals! In fact, the first way they tell one another apart is by their faces, just like humans and some other social mammals. Every paperwasp in every colony in all the world has a unique face! It’s likely they can learn a human face the same way, though they probably also go by scent to some degree. I know that they can get used to a specific human, but still not trust strangers!
