Paper Wasps

Polistinae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polistinae: //pɒˈlɪstɪniː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Paper Wasp - Mischocyttarus mexicanus, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Paper Wasp (Vespidae, Mischocyttarus mexicanus (de Saussure)) (27684098839) by Insects Unlocked from USA. Used under a CC0 license.
American insects (1904) (17530729793) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.
Wasp building nest by Sanjay Acharya. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Mischocyttarus navajo - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1) by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.
Brachygastra mellifica (Vespidae) 0423 by Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Polistinae is a diverse subfamily of eusocial wasps known as paper wasps. They are notable for their unique nesting behaviors and structures, as well as their ecological roles as both predators and potential pollinators.

Physical Characteristics

Queens (reproductive females) are morphologically similar to workers, though sometimes slightly larger or differently colored. The abdomen is spindle-shaped, often petiolate. The antennae of males are curled. Nests are sometimes open, as opposed to the enclosed nests of vespines.

Identification Tips

Look for nests that are made of paper or mud, characteristic for different genera. Polistinae nests often have a single comb structure and are typically suspended from structures.

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical regions predominately, but also temperate regions due to some species being widely distributed.

Distribution

Approximately 1,100 species worldwide; second-most diverse subfamily within Vespidae.

Diet

Primarily predatory, feeding on other insects; some species are known to store honey.

Life Cycle

Colony founding may occur by a single female (solitary founding) or a group of females (swarm-founding). Typically, a single comb is involved in solitary founded nests, while swarm founded nests usually have an envelope.

Reproduction

Queens establish dominance in a colony; reproduction occurs within the colony, especially after initial growth.

Ecosystem Role

Predators of other insects, some species also play a role in pollination due to their feeding habits.

Collecting Methods

  • Netting
  • Baiting with sugar-water or protein-based food

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol
  • Pinning and drying

Evolution

Polistinae is believed to have diverged from other Vespidae approximately 55 million years ago.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Despite being called paper wasps, not all wasps that build paper nests belong to the Polistinae subfamily; true hornets and yellowjackets are examples of this misconception.

Tags

  • Polistinae
  • Paper Wasps
  • Eusocial Wasps
  • Vespidae