Paper wasp protecting her nest.

Belonogaster ('belone' - needle, 'gaster' - belly) is a large genus of mainly Afrotropical quasisocial wasps, although some species occur in Arabia and two extend as far as India. They have characteristics of both the eusocial and the solitary wasps. Belonogaster constructs communal paper nests where the grubs are fed on masticated, soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars. ] Belanogaster wasps are an important food source for wintering European honey buzzards Pernis apivorus in sub-Saharan Africa... more