Pictured here is a red paper wasp, one of 22 species of paper wasps known to exist in North America.

Paper wasps are so called because they build paper nests. I once observed one carefully cutting away small shreds of bark from a cedar tree for nest building. Hornets and yellow jackets also belong to the paper wasp family.

Red paper wasps often build their nest safe from the weather inside man-made buildings such as sheds and barns. Their nests will be attached to a ceiling area. The nest is where the young are reared, and, if disturbed, adult red paper wasps will aggressively defend it. Some kinds of paper wasps are notorious for chasing after an agitator, but the red paper wasp will usually chase for only a short distance. More likely, they will vigorously swarm the immediate nest area.

Anyone unlucky enough to disturb a nest of red paper wasps should vacate the area immediately. Never stand and battle these wasps. Their stings are quite painful and will leave a red welt and possibly swelling of the sting site.

I photographed this red wasp as it landed on a white plastic lawn chair beside me. It posed no threat. It was out alone searching for food. Red paper wasps do provide a special service to gardeners by devouring plant-eating caterpillars. They also feed small caterpillars to their larvae in the nest.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the O'Tenem Gallery.