Yes, wasps have a queen. In fact, the social structure of many species of wasps is based around a single reproductive female, known as the queen. The queen wasp is responsible for laying eggs, which hatch into the various castes of the colony.
The queen wasp is larger than the other members of the colony, and she is the only member of the colony capable of reproducing. She mates with male wasps in the early spring and then begins to build a nest. The nest can be made from paper, mud, or other materials depending on the species of wasp.
Once the nest is constructed, the queen wasp begins laying eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae, which are then fed by the workers of the colony. These workers are sterile females who cannot reproduce but instead spend their time caring for the young and building the nest.
The queen wasp can lay a large number of eggs, and the colony can grow rapidly in size. As the colony grows, the queen wasp may lay eggs that will become male wasps or fertile female wasps. These fertile females are known as gynes and will become potential queens themselves.
The queen wasp's role is to maintain the social structure of the colony and ensure that there are enough workers to care for the young and protect the nest. She is also responsible for producing pheromones that help to regulate the behavior of the other members of the colony.
In some species of wasps, such as the paper wasp, the queen wasp will leave the nest once the young have hatched and the colony is established. In other species, such as the yellow jacket, the queen wasp will remain in the nest and continue to lay eggs throughout the season.