DETERMINATION OF SOME STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE NEST PAPER OF VESPA ORIENTALIS LINNEAUS, 1771 AND VESPA CRABRO LINNEAUS, 1758 (HYMENOPTERA: VESPINAE) IN TURKEY

The aim of this study was to determine the nest materials and some physical features and elemental composition of Vespa orientalis and Vespa crabro nests. The nest surfaces were observed with a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the V orientalis nest, the average thickness of the fibers was 13.47 mu m, the nitrogen concentration was 18.75%, the percentages of the fibers, saliva, soil and the water absorption capacity were calculated to be 20%, 20%, 60% and 91%, respectively. In the V crabro nest, the average thickness of the fibers was 11.48 mu m and the nitrogen concentration was 27.93%. The percentages of fiber, saliva and the water absorption capacity were calculated to be 23%, 77% and 100%, respectively.