There has been a large paper wasp nest high up in a Kauri tree that we have been watching develop over a couple of years at least. It looked really precarious and it was only a matter of time before gravity won and it fell down. This occurred yesterday and here is the photo of the nest. It is 40cm x 25cm x 25cm in a rough cone shape. The combs are visible at one end but most of it is enclosed in a papery covering.
According to the CSIRO fact sheet the paper is a mixture of wasp saliva and wood fibres. They predate on aphids and caterpillars so I don't mind them around, however they have a nasty sting to them.
I am not sure what variety of paper wasp it is - I hope it is a native one though. They are still hovering around where the nest was attached so maybe they will rebuild.
