Polistinae
Guides
Mischocyttarus
Long-waisted Paper Wasps
Mischocyttarus is the largest genus of social wasps, containing over 260 species primarily distributed in the Neotropics. It is the sole member of the tribe Mischocyttarini, distinguished from related tribes by asymmetrical tarsal lobes. These wasps construct simple, single-comb paper nests and exhibit greater social and reproductive flexibility than the related genus Polistes. A few species extend into the Nearctic region, including three in the United States and southwest Canada.
Mischocyttarus flavitarsis
Western Paper Wasp, Yellow-legged Paper Wasp
Mischocyttarus flavitarsis is a social paper wasp native to western North America, distinguished by its relatively docile defensive behavior compared to other vespids. Colonies are initiated in spring by foundress queens and persist until autumn, with nests typically containing fewer than 300 cells. The species exhibits flexible nesting habits, utilizing both natural cavities in riparian forests and anthropogenic structures such as building eaves. Unlike many social wasps, M. flavitarsis rarely stings, instead employing ramming behavior against perceived threats. Males engage in elaborate lekking and territorial scent-marking behaviors near female hibernation sites in autumn.
Mischocyttarus mexicanus mexicanus
Mexican Paper Wasp
Mischocyttarus mexicanus mexicanus is a subspecies of paper wasp in the family Vespidae. It is one of three Mischocyttarus species occurring in the United States and southwestern Canada, all belonging to the subgenus Phi. The species constructs small, uncovered paper combs similar to those of Polistes wasps. Nests have been observed in exposed situations in Texas, though related subspecies may use cavities. This wasp is a social species with flexible colony founding, where 1–20 females may initiate nests together.
Polistes annularis
Ringed Paper Wasp, Jack Spaniard Wasp, Red Paper Wasp
Polistes annularis is a primitively eusocial paper wasp native to the eastern United States, distinguished by its large size and distinctive red-and-black coloration with a prominent yellow ring on the abdomen. The species exhibits complex social behavior including cooperative nest founding by multiple foundresses, dominance hierarchies, and unique overwintering strategies involving honey storage. Nests are constructed in aggregations under overhangs near water bodies, with colonies typically containing 500 or more cells. Unlike many temperate Polistes species, P. annularis shows relatively robust cold tolerance and has been extensively studied as a model organism for social insect behavior and kin recognition.
social-wasppaper-waspprimitively-eusocialnest-aggregationoverwinteringhoney-storageMüllerian-mimicryfoundress-associationdominance-hierarchykin-recognitioncold-tolerancemodel-organismcaterpillar-predatorriparian-habitatannual-colony-cyclequeen-successioncuticular-hydrocarbonssubgenus-AphanilopterusPolistinaeVespidaeHymenopteraeastern-United-Statesred-and-black-colorationringed-abdomenorange-antennaecliff-nestinghibernaculausurpationaltruismreproductive-competitionjuvenile-hormoneovarian-developmentmicrosatellite-markersmaternity-assignmentbehavioral-ecologysocial-insectnest-architecturepetiole-constructionfoundress-evictionworker-emergencesexual-dimorphismstructural-sex-determinationtrehalosecold-survivalant-predationparasitoidElasmus-polistisChalcoela-iphitalisbiological-controlpollinatorsting-allergenantigen-5Linnaeus-1763Fabricius-1804etymology-Greek-polistesLatin-annularis-ringedPolistes bahamensis
Bahamian Paper Wasp
Polistes bahamensis is a large, colorful paper wasp native to the Bahamas, with populations also established in Florida, Louisiana, and coastal areas of the southeastern United States. First described in 1931, this species has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, having been treated as varieties of P. exclamans before being re-elevated to full species status in 1983. It builds characteristic umbrella-shaped paper nests suspended by a stalk, typically under building eaves or palm fronds. The species is notable for its taxonomic complexity, with three originally described color varieties based on geographic distribution within the Bahamas.
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 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 dorsalis californicus
California Paper Wasp
Polistes dorsalis californicus is a subspecies of paper wasp endemic to California, described by Bohart in 1949. As a member of the genus Polistes, it constructs open-faced paper nests from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. The species exhibits typical paper wasp social structure with small colonies founded by overwintering queens in spring. Like other Polistes, it functions as both a predator of caterpillars and a pollinator of flowering plants.
Polistes flavus
Yellow Paper Wasp
Polistes flavus, commonly known as the yellow paper wasp, is a large, conspicuous paper wasp native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is strongly associated with the Sonoran Desert, where it occupies the same elevation belt as saguaro cacti. The species builds exposed paper nests from wood fibers mixed with saliva, typically placing them under building eaves or among tree branches. Adults forage for caterpillars and other insects to feed larvae, while consuming nectar and honeydew for their own energy needs. Despite its relative abundance in suitable habitats, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Polistes kaibabensis
Kaibab Paper Wasp
The Kaibab Paper Wasp is a social paper wasp endemic to the southwestern United States, specifically associated with the Kaibab Plateau region of northern Arizona. It builds exposed paper combs suspended from vegetation or structures. Like other Polistes species, it forms small colonies with a flexible dominance hierarchy among females. The species is notable for its restricted geographic range and association with high-elevation habitats in the Colorado Plateau region.
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.