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INTRODUCTION.
Paper wasps get their common name from the paparlike material of which they construct
their nests; true also of the other vespids. It has been suggested that they be called
umbrella wasps based on the shape of their nests. In the urban situation, these usually
unaggressive wasps are a nuisance pest. Various species are found throughout the United
States.
RECOGNITION.
Adults about 5/8-3/4" (16-20 mm) long. Color brownish with yellow markings, a few
species with reddish markings. Head with clypeus (upper lip) usually pointed at apex.
Pronotum in lateral view almost triangular, extending to tegulae (structure at base of
front wing) or nearly so. Long-legged, middle tibia with 2 apical spurs. Hind wing with
smalijugat lobe (lobe on rear near body). lst abdominal segment conical. not stalklike.
SIMILAR GROUPS.
Yellowjackets and hornets (subfamily Vespinae) with clypeus (upper
lip) broadly truncate and slightly notched at apex, hind wing lacks jugal lobe (lobe on
rear near body).
Potter and mason wasps (subfamily Eumeninae) have middle tibia with 1
apical spur.
Spider wasps (Pompilidae) have mesopleura (side of mesothorax) with a
transverse suture (impressed line), hind wing with a jugal lobe.
REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES.
Golden paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus aurifer Saussu re. Length about
5/8-3/4" (1 6- 20 mm); black with face and most of abdomen bright yellow; thorax with
6 narrow yellow stripes, legs mostly yellow; found in British Columbia, Washington,
Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana.
Polistes annularis (Linnaeus). Length about 3/4" (18 mm);
blackish brown with bright yellow margin on Ist abdominal segment; found in Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, southeastern U.S., Texas, and South Dakota.
Polistes apachus Saussure. Length about 3/4" (20 mm); golden
brown with yellow markings, pronotum bordered with thin yellow stripe, mesonotum with 2
transverse stripes (anterior narrow, posterior broad), abdomen with alternating stripes of
golden brown and yellow; found in southern California and in Texas and adjacent regions.
Polistes dorsalis dorsalis (Fabricius). Length about 3/4" (17-18
mm); reddish brown with lst abdominal segment narrowly outlined with yellow, tarsi yellow;
found in southeastern U.S., Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.
BIOLOGY.
Paper wasps are semi-social, existing in small colonies but without a worker caste.
Overwintering inseminated queens begin building nests in the spring. These founding queens
are often joined by other inseminated queens which assist in nest building and
maintenance. Such secondary queens become functional workers and relegate egg laying to
the founding queen. However, should the founding/dominant queen die, one of the
secondaries can assume egg laying and assure that the nest will survive.
Nests consist of a single layer of paperlike comb with the cells
opening downward. This comb is supported/suspended from a branch, twig, or horizontal
surface by a single long pedicel; this single, long pedicel apparently aids in the defense
of the nest by predators such as ants. This comb is never enclosed by an envelope, but
remains naked. A single egg is laid in each cell and the developing larva is fed primarily
protein from insect prey through the open cell. The cell is capped when the larva is ready
to pupate. Nests are small to moderate in size, containing up to about 150-250 cells;
largest contained 320 cells and was 6x8" (15x2O cm) in size.
HABITS.
Paper wasps hang their comb nests from twigs and branches of trees and shrubs which can
cause concern when ornamental shrubs and hedges are trimmed or fruit is being picked from
trees. If a nest is contacted, there is high probability that person doing the trimming or
fruit picking will get stung. Paper wasps also like to hang their comb nests from porch
ceilings, the top member of window and door frames, soffits, eaves, affic rafters, deck
floor joists and railings, etc., almost any protected place imaginable.
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