Ask A Scientist Zoology Archive

name         Jodene M. R.
age          50s

Question -   What do hornets make their nest out of? Why does it look
like there is a honey comb in the nest?
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Hornet nests are made of a paper-like material made by the insects from
chewed up plant material and their own saliva. The honey comb shape is a
very efficient way to pack a strong structure with lots of cavities into a
small space, each comb cell in a wasp or hornet nest serves as the hatching
and growth chamber for one egg and larva.

J. Elliott
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