Saxon Wasps' Nest of Dolicovespula saxonica

The first two photos above of a smooth, round, double-layered nest with a large opening hole with a distinct lip and a relatively large, flat base are believed to be of the core of a nest made by the queen Saxon Wasp. Many thanks to Martin Starnes for the photos on this page. He comments that the smooth, round nest is larger than a golf ball but not as large as a tennis ball.

It is understood that the Saxon Wasp queen makes the core where she gives birth to the workers which then complete the nest, as is common among social wasps. It is amazing that just one insect can make such a structure. The gradually expanded nest and modified entrance by the workers chewing wood pulp is shown above.

The mystery here is the timing. The small round nest was made one year and the expanded nest completed the following year. Was it the same queen, who had overwintered (in her nest or elsewhere?) or was it taken over by a new queen?