What happens if the pedicel of a paper wasp nest is not removed?

What happens if the pedicel of a paper wasp nest is not removed?

• A. The nest will dissolve
• B. The queen will rebuild the nest
• C. The nest will become larger
• D. Other insects will move in

Answer: (B)

If the pedicel of a paper wasp nest is not removed, the queen will likely rebuild the nest. The pedicel is the stalk that attaches the nest to a surface. Removing it can cause the nest to fall or become damaged, which may prompt the queen to start constructing a new nest if she is still in the vicinity. If the pedicel remains intact, the nest is left in its original state, allowing the queen to continue using it for rearing her young and for the colony to expand. This process emphasizes the importance of understanding the lifecycle of paper wasps and how they establish and maintain their nests. While it's also possible for the nest to become larger or other insects to move in under different circumstances, these options do not specifically address the action of the queen in response to the nest's condition. Additionally, a nest dissolving does not accurately represent what occurs when a pedicel is left intact.

If the pedicel of a paper wasp nest is not removed, the queen will likely rebuild the nest. The pedicel is the stalk that attaches the nest to a surface. Removing it can cause the nest to fall or become damaged, which may prompt the queen to start constructing a new nest if she is still in the vicinity. If the pedicel remains intact, the nest is left in its original state, allowing the queen to continue using it for rearing her young and for the colony to expand. This process emphasizes the importance of understanding the lifecycle of paper wasps and how they establish and maintain their nests.

While it's also possible for the nest to become larger or other insects to move in under different circumstances, these options do not specifically address the action of the queen in response to the nest's condition. Additionally, a nest dissolving does not accurately represent what occurs when a pedicel is left intact.