Nest architecture may be as useful for distinguishing species as the animals' physical appearance. Species identified through such means are called
ethospecies. This is especially common in wasps and termites, but also can apply to birds. In most animals, there is some variation in nest construction between individuals. Whether these differences are driven by genetics or learned behavior is unknown. Other birds often built their own nests on top of Weaver nest sites. The lightest bird nests may weigh only a few grams. In some species, the nest serve as homes for adults while in others they are used to raise young. The
duck-billed platypus and the
echidna lay eggs in nests.
Amphibians begin to hatch from a bubble nest. Some species of frog build nests ranging from simple to modest complexity. Some types of bees and wasps (e.g.,
honey bees,
bumblebees,
yellowjackets,
hornets) often seek out natural cavities in which to construct their nests, in which they store food and raise their young. Most other species of bees and
aculeate wasps, comprising thousands of solitary-nesting species, dig holes in the ground or burrow into wood or plant stems. Honey bee and bumblebee nests are built using wax the workers secrete from their bodies, while those of various
vespid wasps are dependent on their ability to turn plant fiber into paper using their saliva. Nest sizes vary dramatically and the largest wasp nest on record measured in diameter and was tall. Found in New Zealand, it was likely built by
Vespula germanica, an invasive yellowjacket species. The
Eastern carpenter bee,
Xylocopa virginica, builds nests in wood, bamboo culms, agave stalks, and other similar materials. When digging the nests, they use the wood shavings scraped from the wall to create partitions within the tunnels. The nest tunnels have about 1-4 branches, each with multiple brood cells. Because they will excavate nests in lumber used by humans in construction, their nesting behavior can weaken wood in manmade structures. Termites build elaborate nests that span multiple generations and may last decades. Other termite species use their nests to farm fungi.
Leafcutter ants build a complex nest which can, in some species, house 8 million individuals. The nests feature numerous chambers, most notably garden chambers where they farm
fungus on leaves they harvest from the forest. These satellite nests are used as an insurance against predators and
parasites; if the original nest is attacked, surviving members can move to the satellite nest. Other species such as
Parischnogaster alternata, construct nests in clusters with the central core composed of older colonies surrounded by younger colonies. ==Effects on other species==