Executioner Paper Wasp

Polistes carnifex

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polistes carnifex: //pɒˈlɪstiːz ˈkɑːrnɪfɛks//

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

Images

Polistes carnifex - Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico - 15 August 2015 - Francisco Farriols Sarabia by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Polistes carnifex Belize58 by Sapphic. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Polistes carnifex ssp. carnifex - in situ Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico on 21 November 2018 photographed by Francisco Farriols Sarabia by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Polistes carnifex - nest collect in Brazil in 1967 by W.D. Hamilton - stored at the Natural History Museum, London by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Polistes carnifex feeding on Cissus sp. in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico by Francisco Farriols Sarabia by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Polistes carnifex by Daniel.patino210. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Polistes carnifex, known as the executioner wasp, is the largest representative of the genus Polistes in the Neotropics and is characterized by its distinct coloration, nest construction behavior, and social structure. It has a wide distribution in Central and South America.

Physical Characteristics

Large yellow and brown paper wasp with a body length up to 3 cm (24-27 mm typically, with a maximum of 33 mm), mandibles that contain teeth, and the absence of a groove on the underside of the head. The first tergite is dorsally convex, and the eyes do not touch the clypeus.

Identification Tips

Distinguished by its wide cheek plates and minimal intraspecific variation. The first tergite is compact and elevated, and the first gastral segment is less broad than long. Can be confused with P. major, which is much smaller and has different color patterns.

Habitat

Coastal, humid, and open areas such as evergreen tropical forests; nests can be found under eaves of buildings and suspended from branches.

Distribution

Native to Central and South America, ranging from Arizona and southern Texas to Misiones Province in northern Argentina. Historically thought to have occurred in the Greater Antilles, but confirmed records now exist in the USA.

Diet

Foraging adults bring nectar and macerated prey back to the nest to feed to developing larvae; they have been observed foraging for caterpillars and other protein sources.

Life Cycle

Eusocial wasp that establishes small colonies; founded by solitary queens who build nests with individual cells for larvae.

Reproduction

Nests are built from macerated wood pulp; eggs are laid in the cells, and larvae are fed by the queen and later by emerging female workers.

Conservation Status

Not evaluated by IUCN; recorded in protected areas such as Shipstern Conservation & Management Area, Belize.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinator and plays a role in the food web as both predator and prey. Helps control caterpillar populations.

Cultural Significance

In Paraguay, known as 'kava mainomby' meaning 'hummingbird wasp' due to its size; recognized in local folklore.

Health Concerns

Potential to sting, but is generally non-aggressive.

Collecting Methods

  • Light trapping
  • Netting during foraging activities

Preservation Methods

  • Pinned specimens
  • Ethanol preservation for genetic studies

Evolution

Part of the largest genus in the vespid family, advocated for classification within subgenus Onerarius by some taxonomists; faced historical synonyms that created confusion in its taxonomy.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often confused with smaller species such as P. major; records from Cuba and Hispaniola attributed to P. carnifex are actually misidentified.

Tags

  • Hymenoptera
  • vespidae
  • Polistes
  • neotropical
  • wasps