How many larvae can paper nest wasps produce in a summer?

The correct choice indicates that paper nest wasps can produce several to 2000 larvae in a summer. This number reflects the typical reproductive capacity of these insects during their active nesting season, which generally occurs throughout the warm months.

Paper wasps build their nests and lay eggs in the spring, and as the season progresses, the size of the colony can grow significantly. A single queen can lay hundreds of eggs as the colony develops, particularly as the worker wasps emerge, allowing for increased support in foraging and brood care. By the end of the summer, it is common for the nest to support a large number of larvae, as the queen continues to lay eggs.

The upper limit of 2000 larvae is consistent with observed data on the reproductive output of these wasps in optimal environmental conditions. Therefore, understanding their capacity to produce this volume of larvae helps in assessing their impact in local ecosystems, including pest control dynamics and potential challenges in managing their populations.