John Abbott / Paper wasp (Polistes metricus) flying from flower, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, USA Controlled conditions. September

Rolf Nussbaumer / Red paper wasp (Polistes carolina) adult in flight, Dinero, Lake Corpus Christi, South Texas, USA.

Jose B. Ruiz / Paper wasp (Polistes gallicus) at water, Spain

Pete Oxford / Paper Wasps swarming in threat display on their nest, Ecuador, Amazon rainforest

Morley Read / Eusoical wasps (Polybia) swarming from the entrance of their nest hanging under a leaf, Napo Province, Ecuadorian Amazon. (non-ex)

Morley Read / Eusocial wasps (Polybia) at the entrance of their nest hanging under a leaf, Napo Province, the Ecuadorian Amazon. (non-ex)

Morley Read / Eusocial wasps (Polybia) swarming from the entrance of their nest hanging under a leaf, Napo Province, Ecuadorian Amazon. (non-ex)

Chris Mattison / Green wasp (Ropalidia sp), two, one guarding nest. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar.

Chris Mattison / Green wasp (Ropalidia sp), two, one guarding nest. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar.

John Abbott / Red wasp (Polistes carolina) in flight Lamar County, Texas, USA Controlled conditions. August

Alex Hyde / Wasps (Apoica pallens) resting at their nest during the daytime, unusually for social wasps this species is nocturnal, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Alex Hyde / Wasps (Apoica pallens) resting at their nest during the daytime, unusually for social wasps this species is nocturnal, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica