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NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Hornet Nest Material and Shape 
Name: Jodene M. R.
Status: other
Age: 50s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2002
Question:
What do hornets make their nest out of? Why does it look like there is a honey comb in the nest?

Replies:
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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