Polistes

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Chalcoela
Sooty-winged Chalcoela (for C. iphitalis)
Chalcoela is a genus of crambid moths (family Crambidae, subfamily Glaphyriinae) containing at least two described species. The genus is notable for the brood parasitic biology of C. iphitalis, whose larvae are specialized predators of paper wasp (Polistes) larvae within their nests. This species represents a rare example of a lepidopteran that has evolved to exploit social hymenopteran colonies. The genus was established by Zeller in 1872.
brood-parasite predatory-caterpillar social-insect-parasite nocturnal-oviposition wasp-mimicry Polistes paper-wasp-nest
Chalcoela iphitalis
Sooty-winged Chalcoela, Sooty-winged Chalcoela Moth
Chalcoela iphitalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae that functions as a brood parasite of social paper wasps. The species is notable for its striking coloration: the head, thorax, and anterior forewings are yellow-orange, while the posterior forewings and hindwings are gray-silver with black marginal spots. Adults are active from May to August across North America. The larvae are specialized predators of wasp pupae and pre-pupae within Polistes and Mischocyttarus nests, and represent a rare case of a lepidopteran acting as a parasitoid of hymenopterans.
parasitoid nocturnal social-insect-parasite bivoltine Polistes paper-wasp-associate Crambidae Glaphyriinae
Chalcoela pegasalis
wasp parasitizer moth
Chalcoela pegasalis, commonly known as the wasp parasitizer moth, is a small pyralid moth in the family Crambidae. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1859. It is notable for its parasitoid lifestyle, with larvae developing inside the nests of paper wasps (Polistes species). The moth occurs across the Caribbean and eastern North America, with adults active during the warmer months.
parasitoid wasps Polistes paper-wasp-nest nocturnal
Elasmus polistis
Elasmus polistis is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Burks in 1971. It is an ectoparasitoid specializing on the brood of paper wasps in the genus Polistes. The species has been documented attacking prepupae and pupae inside host nests, entering despite defensive behaviors by adult wasps. It has been recorded from the United States and Brazil, with confirmed host associations including multiple Polistes species.
parasitoid ectoparasitoid Polistes paper-wasp Eulophidae Hymenoptera social-wasp-parasite North-America South-America Brazil United-States
Pachysomoides
Pachysomoides is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. These small parasitoid wasps specialize in attacking paper wasps (Polistes spp.) and related social wasps. Two species are documented in North America: P. fulvus, which ranges broadly across the continent, and P. stupidus, found in the southeastern United States. The genus exhibits gregarious parasitoid behavior, with multiple larvae sometimes developing on a single host.
parasitoid gregarious ichneumon-wasp social-wasp-parasite Polistes Mischocyttarus haplodiploid larval-competition host-defense
Pachysomoides fulvus
Pachysomoides fulvus is a small ichneumon wasp that parasitizes paper wasps (Polistes spp.) in North America. The female wasp lays eggs on larvae or pupae inside the exposed paper comb nests of its hosts. It ranges from New York to Florida and west to California and British Columbia, though it does not appear to be abundant anywhere. The species is notable for targeting social wasps that are typically well-defended, making it a specialized parasitoid despite its relatively small size.
parasitoid ichneumon-wasp paper-wasp-parasite Polistes Hymenoptera North-America
Pachysomoides stupidus
Pachysomoides stupidus is a gregarious ichneumon wasp that parasitizes paper wasps (Polistes spp.). Females lay multiple eggs on pre-pupal Polistes grubs, and larvae feed gregariously as external parasites on the pupa. The species exhibits larval competition among siblings for host resources, with males showing more altruistic behavior than females in resource allocation. Brood sex ratios are biased toward females, with investment ratios equalized by egg-layers.
ichneumon-wasp parasitoid Polistes gregarious-parasite sibling-competition sex-ratio-bias Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae Pachysomoides
Polistes comanchus comanchus
Polistes comanchus comanchus is a subspecies of paper wasp in the genus Polistes. As a member of this widespread genus, it shares the characteristic social colony structure with a single foundress or multiple females cooperating to build paper nests from chewed wood fibers. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the species P. comanchus, though specific distinguishing traits for this subspecies are not well documented in available sources. Like other Polistes, it is predatory on caterpillars and other insects to feed its larvae.
Polistes paper-wasp subspecies Hymenoptera Vespidae Polistinae social-wasp
Polistes comanchus navajoe
A subspecies of paper wasp in the genus Polistes. As a member of this widespread genus, it likely shares the characteristic social behavior and nest-building habits of other Polistes wasps, including constructing open, umbrella-shaped paper nests and provisioning larvae with chewed caterpillars. The subspecific epithet 'navajoe' suggests a southwestern North American distribution.
Polistes paper-wasp subspecies Hymenoptera Vespidae Polistinae
Polistes dominula
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
invasive-species social-wasp paper-wasp predator pollinator urban-ecology eusocial nest-construction biological-control thermal-biology spatial-learning vibrational-communication aposematism honest-signal overwintering diapause Polistes Vespidae Hymenoptera North-America Europe New-Zealand South-Africa South-America monarch-butterfly caterpillar-predation nest-architecture gyne foundress dominance-hierarchy climate-change-impact energetics metabolic-rate microclimate suburban-habitat anthropogenic ornamental-pest vineyard-pest fruit-damage stinging-insect venom poison-gland warning-coloration Zahavian-signal Strepsiptera parasitoid Xenos behavioral-plasticity foraging learning memory thermoregulation ectothermy endothermy solar-radiation nest-temperature brood-development colony-survival multiple-founding single-founding season-length latitude temperate Mediterranean hibernacle overwintering-costs climate-warming range-expansion competition native-species-displacement biodiversity-impact conservation management control integrated-pest-management IPM identification antennae-color facial-markings caste reproduction male female sexual-dimorphism antennae abdomen wing mandible saliva paper comb cell pedicel trophallaxis larva pupa adult worker queen subordinate dominant aggression defense threat-display sting toxicity brightness coloration predator-avoidance prey caterpillar Lepidoptera butterfly moth garden agriculture vineyard orchard urban suburban rural forest habitat-preference temperature metabolism quiescence torpor survival fitness colony nest population abundance distribution range expansion invasion establishment introduction biotic-interaction trophic-cascade herbivory-suppression plant-fitness milkweed Danaus-plexippus monarch Nelson Tasman ecosystem-impact conservation-management biological-invasion ecology behavior physiology morphology taxonomy systematics nomenclature gender-agreement Latin Christ 1791 Vespa-dominula basionym catalogue-of-life GBIF iNaturalist observation citizen-science photography illustration field-guide orange black yellow red color-pattern size wing-length body compact legs short face square triangular dark curled straight elbowed blunt pointed tip Zahavian costly-signal hunt forage nectar honeydew aphid scale-insect flower grape umbellifer fennel lovage insect meatball feed emerge chew cap hexagonal wood-fiber bark exposed open umbrella stalk ant repellent substance coat protect location eave attic tree branch vine shrub cavity bird-box bee-hive shed grave-lantern overwinter shelter protected thermal climate cold winter spring summer autumn fall season month day activity defend threat display raise tiptoe social dominance hierarchy reproductive egg lay found cooperate compete selfish passive-aggressive individual recognition facial-marking cognition mushroom-body brain intelligent artist architect navigation plasticity spatial relocating food resource dish bait training experience 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Polistes dorsalis dorsalis
Least Paper Wasp
Polistes dorsalis dorsalis is a subspecies of paper wasp commonly known as the Least Paper Wasp. It belongs to the genus Polistes, which comprises social wasps that construct paper nests from chewed plant fibers. This subspecies is part of a group of Polistes species found in the Americas, characterized by relatively small colony sizes compared to yellowjackets and hornets. Paper wasps in this genus are known for their distinctive umbrella-shaped nests with exposed hexagonal cells.
paper-wasp social-wasp Polistes Hymenoptera Vespidae Least-Paper-Wasp
Polistes major
Horse Paper Wasp, avispa de caballo
Polistes major is a Neotropical social paper wasp, one of the largest species in its genus. It ranges from South America north into the southern United States. The species is known locally as 'avispa de caballo' (horse wasp) in the Dominican Republic. Five subspecies are recognized, with variation in coloration from yellow-striped forms to entirely reddish-brown individuals.
Neotropical social paper-wasp Polistes Vespidae
Polistes major castaneicolor
Sonoran Red Paper Wasp
Polistes major castaneicolor is a large, reddish paper wasp subspecies endemic to the Sonoran Desert region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. First described by Joseph Charles Bequaert in 1936, it is one of five recognized subspecies of Polistes major. It is distinguished from other P. major subspecies by its predominantly reddish coloration with limited yellow markings.
paper-wasp red-wasp desert-wasp Polistes Sonoran-Desert
Polistes major major
horse's wasp
Polistes major major is a neotropical eusocial paper wasp subspecies most commonly found on Hispaniola Island and within Central America. It is known locally as "avispa de caballo" (horse's wasp) in the Dominican Republic. As a member of the genus Polistes, it is a social wasp that constructs exposed paper nests and lives in colonies with a reproductive hierarchy.
eusocial paper-wasp neotropical Hispaniola Central-America Dominican-Republic avispa-de-caballo horse's-wasp Polistes Vespidae Hymenoptera insect wasp social-insect colonial nest-building
Polistes palmarum
Palm Paper Wasp
Polistes palmarum is a species of paper wasp in the family Vespidae, described by Bequard in 1936. The species is known by the common name "Palm Paper Wasp," reflecting its association with palm habitats. As a member of the genus Polistes, it exhibits the characteristic social behavior and nest-building traits of paper wasps.
Hymenoptera Vespidae Polistinae Polistes paper-wasp social-wasp
Xenos bicolor
Xenos bicolor is a species of twisted-wing parasite in the family Xenidae, order Strepsiptera. Like other strepsipterans, it is an obligate endoparasite that develops within the bodies of host insects. The genus Xenos is known to parasitize wasps, particularly paper wasps in the family Vespidae. Strepsipterans exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism and reduced morphology, with neotenic females remaining permanently embedded in host abdomens.
Strepsiptera parasitoid endoparasite Polistes wasp-parasite Xenidae
Xenos peckii
Xenos peckii is a highly specialized endoparasitic insect in the order Strepsiptera, commonly known as twisted-wing parasites. It is an obligate parasite of paper wasps, specifically Polistes fuscatus, with development occurring entirely within the host's abdominal cavity. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: males are free-flying adults with reduced wings and unusual eyes containing green- and UV-sensitive photoreceptors, while females are neotenic, lacking wings, legs, and eyes, and remain permanently embedded within the host. Males locate females through a species-specific sex pheromone, (3R,5S,9R,7E,11E)-3,5,9,11-tetramethyl-7,11-tridecadienal, which females actively release by inflating and extruding their cephalothorax through the host's cuticle. The species has been documented across temperate North America and possesses unique cellular mechanisms for meiotic spindle formation that have been studied ultrastructurally.
Strepsiptera endoparasite Polistes sexual-dimorphism pheromone UV-vision meiosis xenosurveillance