Social-wasp

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Brachygastra mellifica
Mexican Honey Wasp
Brachygastra mellifica is a neotropical social wasp and one of the few wasp species known to produce and store honey. Adults are small, measuring 7–9 mm in length, with workers and males displaying alternating yellow and black abdominal bands while queens are dark reddish-brown. The species constructs large paper nests in tree canopies that may persist for years in favorable climates. Colonies are exceptionally large, housing 3,500–18,700 individuals with multiple queens. The species has significant economic value as a pollinator of avocados and as a biological control agent for the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), a major citrus pest.
social-wasp honey-producer pollinator biological-control citrus-pest-predator Mexican-cuisine neotropical
Dolichovespula albida
Arctic Yellowjacket
Dolichovespula albida, commonly known as the Arctic Yellowjacket, is a social wasp species in the family Vespidae. It is closely related to other Dolichovespula species such as D. arctica and D. arenaria, with which it shares ecological and behavioral traits. The species is primarily associated with northern and high-elevation habitats. Like other members of its genus, it constructs paper nests and exhibits social colony behavior with distinct castes.
social-wasp yellowjacket arctic high-elevation coniferous-forest Dolichovespula Vespidae Hymenoptera northern-distribution paper-nest
Dolichovespula alpicola
Rocky Mountain Aerial Yellowjacket
Dolichovespula alpicola is a social wasp in the family Vespidae, described by Eck in 1984. It is known from high-elevation habitats in western North America, particularly in coniferous forests of the Rocky Mountains. The species belongs to a genus that includes both independent-founding wasps and social parasites, though the specific biology of D. alpicola remains poorly documented compared to its congeners.
Vespidae social-wasp Rocky-Mountains high-elevation coniferous-forest aerial-nester
Dolichovespula maculata
Bald-faced Hornet, Bald Hornet, White-faced Hornet, White-tailed Hornet, Spruce Wasp, Blackjacket, Bull Wasp
Dolichovespula maculata is a social wasp native to North America, commonly known as the bald-faced hornet despite being a yellowjacket rather than a true hornet (genus Vespa). It constructs large, enclosed paper nests suspended from branches or structures, with colonies reaching 400–700 workers—the largest recorded in its genus. The species is immediately recognizable by its black body with white facial markings and white banding at the abdomen tip. Workers are aggressively defensive of their nests and can spray venom toward intruders.
social-wasp yellowjacket aerial-nester paper-nest predator defensive annual-colony North-America
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.
social-wasp paper-wasp Polistinae western-North-America mild-temperament nest-usurpation lekking-behavior hibernation cavity-nester generalist-predator
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.
social-wasp paper-wasp Polistinae Vespidae predator caterpillar-hunter flexible-sociality subtropical Texas-fauna
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-wasp paper-wasp primitively-eusocial nest-aggregation overwintering honey-storage Müllerian-mimicry foundress-association dominance-hierarchy kin-recognition cold-tolerance model-organism caterpillar-predator riparian-habitat annual-colony-cycle queen-succession cuticular-hydrocarbons subgenus-Aphanilopterus Polistinae Vespidae Hymenoptera eastern-United-States red-and-black-coloration ringed-abdomen orange-antennae cliff-nesting hibernacula usurpation altruism reproductive-competition juvenile-hormone ovarian-development microsatellite-markers maternity-assignment behavioral-ecology social-insect nest-architecture petiole-construction foundress-eviction worker-emergence sexual-dimorphism structural-sex-determination trehalose cold-survival ant-predation parasitoid Elasmus-polistis Chalcoela-iphitalis biological-control pollinator sting-allergen antigen-5 Linnaeus-1763 Fabricius-1804 etymology-Greek-polistes Latin-annularis-ringed
Polistes arizonensis
Arizona Paper Wasp
A social paper wasp found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Once considered a subspecies of Polistes exclamans, it is now recognized as a distinct species. It builds exposed paper nests under palm fronds, shrubbery, and man-made structures. Females produce ant-repellent secretions from sternal glands to protect nests. The species is notably tolerant of close human observation and can be distinguished from similar Polistes species by facial coloration and geographic range.
paper-wasp social-wasp ant-repellent urban-wasp overwintering nest-defense caterpillar-predator Sonoran-Desert Tucson Arizona-endemic
Polistes aurifer
Golden Paper Wasp
Polistes aurifer is a social paper wasp native to western North America, ranging from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The species exhibits pronounced geographic color variation, from predominantly black northern forms to yellow southwestern forms and ferruginous southern populations. It constructs exposed paper nests in sheltered locations and is a generalist predator of caterpillars and other insects. The species has been subject to taxonomic revision, having been treated as a subspecies of P. fuscatus in some classifications, though recent treatments maintain it as distinct.
social-wasp paper-wasp generalist-predator variable-coloration western-North-America biological-control forensic-entomology
Polistes 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.
paper-wasp social-wasp Vespidae Polistinae Bahamas Florida Louisiana subtropical urban-wildlife biological-control
Polistes carnifex
executioner wasp, executioner paper wasp, kava mainomby, kava alazán, kava sa'yju, a'ma xtíya cháda
Polistes carnifex is a large Neotropical paper wasp and the largest member of its genus in the region, with body lengths reaching up to 33 mm. It is commonly known as the executioner wasp, a name derived from the Latin epithet carnifex meaning "executioner." The species establishes small eusocial colonies founded by solitary queens, building open-faced paper nests suspended from branches or under building eaves. Despite its imposing size and formidable common name, it is relatively non-aggressive toward humans.
paper-wasp social-wasp Neotropical eusocial predator pollinator territoriality Batesian-mimicry Strepsiptera-host
Polistes carolina
Fine-backed Red Paper Wasp, Red Paper Wasp, Paper Wasp
Polistes carolina is a social paper wasp native to the eastern United States, distinguished by its reddish-brown coloration and finer propodeal ridges compared to its congener P. rubiginosus. The species constructs large, exposed, umbrella-shaped paper nests and exhibits independent founding behavior with multiple foundresses establishing dominance hierarchies through behavioral conventions rather than size alone. It is an important predator of caterpillars and other insects, contributing to natural pest control in its range.
social-wasp paper-wasp independent-founding dominance-hierarchy predator biological-control stinging-insect
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 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
Hunter's Little Paper Wasp
Polistes dorsalis is a small social paper wasp native to North America, distinguished by V-shaped yellow markings on the head and, in males, a prominent median tubercle on sternum 7. The species constructs small, open-faced paper nests in sheltered locations close to the ground, such as rock piles, hollow logs, and building eaves. Colonies are founded by one or several females in spring, with a dominance hierarchy establishing a single reproductive queen. The species is known for moderately painful stings and has attracted pharmacological interest due to antimicrobial peptides in its venom.
social-wasp paper-wasp eusocial predator antimicrobial-venom North-American-native
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.
Polistinae paper-wasp California-endemic social-wasp annual-colony caterpillar-predator
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 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.
social-wasp paper-wasp Sonoran-Desert pollinator biocontrol Polistinae Vespidae
Polistes fuscatus
Northern Paper Wasp, Dark Paper Wasp, Golden Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus is a primitively eusocial paper wasp native to eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States. It builds exposed, umbrella-shaped paper nests suspended from a single stalk, typically in semi-protected locations near human structures or in woodlands. The species exhibits a linear dominance hierarchy centered on a single dominant foundress, with remarkable individual recognition capabilities based on variable facial and abdominal markings. P. fuscatus has experienced significant population decline due to competition from the invasive European paper wasp, Polistes dominula.
paper-wasp social-wasp native-species invasive-species-competition individual-recognition primitively-eusocial biological-control declining-species
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.
Vespidae Polistinae social-wasp paper-wasp endemic Arizona Kaibab-Plateau Hymenoptera Southwest-USA Colorado-Plateau
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
Vespa
Hornets
Vespa is a genus of large social wasps known as hornets, comprising 22 recognized species worldwide. Members are distinguished from other vespine wasps by their relatively large top margin of the head and rounded abdominal segment behind the waist. Some species reach up to 5.5 cm in length, making them among the largest eusocial wasps. Several species are significant agricultural pests due to their predation on honey bees, including the Asian giant hornet (V. mandarinia) and yellow-legged hornet (V. velutina), both of which have been detected as invasive species in North America.
hornet social-wasp invasive-species honey-bee-predator agricultural-pest Vespidae Hymenoptera
Vespa mandarinia
Asian giant hornet, Japanese giant hornet, yak-killer hornet
Vespa mandarinia is the world's largest hornet species, native to temperate and tropical low mountains and forests of eastern Asia. It has been introduced to the Pacific Northwest of North America, where it was first detected in British Columbia and Washington State in 2019. The species poses significant threats to European honey bee colonies through coordinated group attacks, and its establishment could impact apiculture, ecosystems, and public health.
invasive-species honey-bee-predator social-wasp pest venomous Pacific-Northwest quarantine apiculture-threat largest-hornet
Vespula acadica
Forest Yellowjacket
Vespula acadica is a North American eusocial wasp in the Vespula rufa group, commonly known as the forest yellowjacket. It is distinguished by its preference for forested habitats and arboreal nesting sites, typically building nests in decaying vegetation such as logs and leaf piles rather than in human structures. The species exhibits relatively small colony sizes compared to other yellowjackets, with annual nests containing 75–400 workers. While generally avoiding human contact due to its habitat preferences, workers can be aggressive and persistent when colonies are disturbed, delivering repeated stings.
yellowjacket forest-wasp social-wasp Vespula-rufa-group arboreal-nester live-prey-specialist
Vespula alascensis
Alaska yellowjacket, American yellowjacket
Vespula alascensis is a social wasp native to North America, recognized as a distinct species in 2010 after being treated as a taxonomic synonym of Vespula vulgaris for over a century. It belongs to the 'vulgaris group' of yellowjackets, characterized by scavenging behavior and ground-nesting habits. The species is known to occur across northern and western regions of the continent, with confirmed records from Vermont to Hawaii.
social-wasp yellowjacket ground-nesting scavenger pest-species vulgaris-group
Vespula atropilosa
Prairie Yellowjacket
Vespula atropilosa, the prairie yellowjacket, is a social wasp native to western North America. It forms annual underground colonies in prairie and grassland habitats, typically nesting in abandoned rodent burrows. Unlike scavenging yellowjackets, it is strictly predatory, hunting live insects to feed its larvae. The species exhibits male color polymorphism with xanthic (yellow) and melanic (black) abdominal variants.
social-wasp yellowjacket predator subterranean-nest prairie grassland annual-colony male-dimorphism
Vespula flavopilosa
Downy Yellowjacket
Vespula flavopilosa, commonly known as the downy yellowjacket, is a species of social wasp native to North America. It belongs to the genus Vespula, which includes other well-known yellowjacket species. The species was described by Jakobson in 1978. Like other yellowjackets, it is a social wasp that builds paper nests and exhibits colonial behavior typical of the genus.
yellowjacket social-wasp North-America
Vespula germanica
German yellowjacket, European wasp, German wasp
Vespula germanica is a highly invasive social wasp native to Europe, Northern Africa, and temperate Asia that has established populations across much of the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, including North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is one of the most successful invasive wasp species globally, characterized by exceptional cognitive flexibility, opportunistic foraging behavior, and adaptability to diverse environments. The species exhibits complex social organization with annual colonies founded by single queens, though perennial colonies occur in favorable climates. Its invasive success is attributed to flexible nesting habits, broad dietary range, and efficient resource exploitation, though human-aided transport of hibernating queens significantly contributes to long-distance dispersal.
invasive-species yellowjacket social-wasp pest pollinator predator scavenger cavity-nester Vespidae Hymenoptera
Vespula intermedia
Northern Red-banded Yellowjacket, American red-banded yellowjacket
Vespula intermedia is a rare social wasp species in the family Vespidae, described by Robert du Buysson in 1905. Its taxonomic status remains uncertain; it was previously listed as a synonym of Vespula rufa, but entomologists are divided on this classification. The species is native to northern regions of North America, with records from northern Canada, Maine, and Alaska. It is poorly known compared to more common yellowjacket species, with only 47 observations documented on iNaturalist as of the source date.
social-wasp yellowjacket rare-species taxonomic-uncertainty northern-distribution
Vespula maculifrons
Eastern yellowjacket, Eastern yellow jacket
Vespula maculifrons is a social wasp native to eastern North America, commonly known as the Eastern yellowjacket. It is among the most aggressive stinging insects in its range, known for vigorously defending nests and delivering painful stings with minimal provocation. Colonies are typically founded by a single queen in spring and can grow to contain thousands of workers by late summer. The species is polyandrous, with females mating with multiple males, and exhibits cooperative colony dynamics without significant reproductive conflict among patrilines.
social-wasp yellowjacket aggressive ground-nesting predator pest stinging-insect eastern-North-America polyandry annual-colony alarm-pheromone Vespinae
Vespula squamosa
southern yellowjacket
Vespula squamosa, the southern yellowjacket, is a social wasp native to eastern North America, ranging from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast and south through Mexico to Guatemala. The species exhibits remarkable social plasticity: most colonies are annual and headed by a single queen, but in warmer climates colonies may become perennial, persisting multiple years and reaching extreme sizes with multiple reproductive queens (polygyny). Approximately 85% of colonies begin through facultative social parasitism, with V. squamosa queens usurping nests of V. maculifrons (eastern yellowjacket) or V. vidua (widow yellowjacket). Workers are approximately 13 mm long with black and yellow striping; queens are larger and more orange in coloration. The species is expanding its range northward and is now common in the Mid-Atlantic region.
social-wasp yellowjacket social-parasite polygyny perennial-colony range-expansion stinging-insect pest-species Vespidae Hymenoptera facultative-parasitism alarm-pheromone queen-polymorphism climate-change-response
Vespula vidua
widow yellowjacket, long yellowjacket
Vespula vidua is a species of social wasp in the family Vespidae, commonly known as the widow yellowjacket or long yellowjacket. It is native to North America and exhibits typical yellowjacket biology with annual colonies founded by overwintering queens. Unlike some urban-adapted yellowjacket species, V. vidua is strictly predatory and does not scavenge at human food sources. The species is known to be a host for the facultative social parasite Vespula squamosa (Southern Yellowjacket), which can usurp its nests.
social-wasp yellowjacket predatory underground-nester host-for-social-parasite non-scavenger