 As a vespid wasp , P. exclamans nests are typically made up of paper with a single layer of cells with open combs . Although nest size varies , the upper limit is around 500 cells . Although many vespid wasps have an outer envelope of paper , P. exclamans nests do not . As indicated by Strassmann and Orgren , “ Nests are approximately circular , and have a single off @-@ center pedicel usually located towards the top of the nest . Cells near the pedicle are the oldest . ” P. exclamans are particularly able to colonize new sites as foundresses often disperse into new territories . P. exclamans have often been found to have nests located near man @-@ made structures and tend to more readily build nests in and near these man @-@ made structures . Out of six wasp species , P. exclamans was the only one that occupied artificial nesting sites . It prefers well @-@ lit , open sites . 
