Polistes
Encyclopedia
Wasps of the cosmopolitan genus Polistes (the only genus in the tribe Polistini) are the most familiar of the polistine
wasps, and are the most common type of paper wasp
. It is also the single largest genus within the family Vespidae, with over 300 recognized species and subspecies. Their innate preferences for nest-building sites leads them to commonly build nests on human habitation, where they can be very unwelcome; although generally non-aggressive, they can be provoked into defending their nests. All species are predatory, and they may consume large numbers of caterpillars, in which respect they are generally considered beneficial. The European paper wasp, Polistes dominula
, was introduced into the US
about 1981 and has quickly spread throughout most of the country, in most cases replacing native species within a couple of years. This species is very commonly mistaken for a yellowjacket
as it is black, strongly marked with yellow, and quite different from the native North American species of Polistes. Polistes wasps can be identified by their characteristic flight; their long legs dangle below their body, which is also more slender than a yellowjacket.
The general life cycle of Polistes can be divided into four phases:
The founding stage begins in the spring when a solitary female (the "foundress") or a small group of related females initiates the construction of a nest. The wasps begin by fashioning a petiole, a short stalk which will connect the new nest to a substrate (often the eave of a house or outbuilding), and building a single brood cell at the end of it. Further cells are added laterally in a hexagonal pattern, each cell surrounded by six others. Although nests can achieve impressive sizes, they almost always maintain a basic shape: petiolated (stellocyttarous), single-combed, unprotected, and open (gymnodomous).
Eggs are laid by the foundress directly into the brood cells and are guarded by the foundress and the assisting females (if present). After the first larvae hatch, the foundress feeds them via progressive provisioning, bringing softened caterpillar flesh to the larvae multiple times throughout their development (as opposed to the one-time provisioning seen in some other hymenopteran groups). This first seasonal brood of new paper wasps is exclusively female and destined to a subordinate worker position inside the nest; they do not found their own nests and instead assist their mother in the care and maintenance of future sisters.
Some foundress wasps do not build their own nests, but rather attempt to usurp that of another female. These usurpation attempts may or may not be successful but almost always result in impressive displays of aggression and violence. Females may also adopt a more peaceful alternative reproduction strategy by joining the nest of a close relative (usually a sister) and working as assisting females (see above). In the latter case, evidence shows that such co-founding females are generally, but not exclusively, close relatives.
The worker phase usually begins in the early summer, roughly two months after colony initiation, with the emergence of the first workers. These new females take up most of the colony's work duties, foraging, caring for brood, and maintaining the structure of the nest. Around this time, those females who assisted in nest foundation (if present) are driven from the nest by aggressive behavior on the part of the foundress, and leave either to start their own late-season nest or usurp another's.
The reproductive phase of the colony begins when the first female reproductives (the gyne
s) emerge from their brood cells. These reproductives differ from their worker sisters by having increased levels of fat stores and cryoprotectant
carbohydrate compounds (allowing them to survive the over-wintering period). These reproductives will contribute genes directly to the next generation, while their worker sisters will normally pass along their genes indirectly.
Once male reproductives emerge and both males and females disperse from the natal nest for mating flights, the so-called intermediate phase begins. Brood care and foraging behavior decline and worker numbers drop as dying individuals are no longer replaced by new ones. Intracolonial aggression increases and the social cohesion of the nest declines. In temperate Polistes species, individuals (almost exclusively inseminated females) gather in groups of up to fifty individuals and seek a sheltered location (called a hibernaculum
) in which to over-winter.
Polistes discriminate colony mates using an acquired (i.e. learned) cue, absorbing hydrocarbons from the natal nest at eclosion. This cuticular
hydrocarbon "signature" is derived both from the plant material and the foundress-applied substances from which the nest is made. Studies of Polistes fuscatus have looked into the molecular basis of the recognition "pheromone
" used by the wasps, and indicate that at least some of the recognizable labels have the same chemical constituents as the adult cuticular hydrocarbons.
Dominant individuals of P. dominulus have differing cuticular profile to workers, and the frequent observations of the dominant female stroking its gaster
across the nest surface, combined with its staying on the nest for longer times than subordinates, suggests that the dominant individual may contribute more to the nest odor.
A study of P. carolina showed that females do not preferentially feed their own progeny (as larvae), so it may be the case that nest odour only serves as a likely indicator of relatedness, rather than a specific label of kinship.
Further to this recognition of nest-mates, a study on Polistes biglumis illustrated how foundresses discriminate between 'alien' eggs and their own, via differential oophagy. Interestingly, the discrimination focused upon eggs destined to be reproductives, with 'alien' worker destined eggs allowed to remain on the nest. The authors speculated that the benefits of allowing worker destined eggs to remain (and so hatch to become workers which will then aid the colony) outweigh the costs of initially provisioning the resultant larvae.
The mechanism of differentiation was not elucidated, but was thought to be based upon differences in cuticular hydrocarbon odor. Whether the discriminatory oophagy was a result of decreased tolerance of alien odors during the later, reproductive phase of the colony cycle, or an actual discrimination between worker and reproductive destined eggs, remains to be supported with good evidence.
and common wasp
s, the Asian and Australian paper wasps (Polistes chinensis
and P. humilis
) are considered pests in New Zealand
. Arriving in 1979, the Asian paper wasp has established itself on both North Island and northern parts of South Island. Because it competes with native species (such as the kākā
) for insects, nectar and honeydew, it is a hindrance to conservation
efforts.
s of Polistes, including flies (e.g., Sarcophagidae), mantispids, and wasps in the families Torymidae
, Mutillidae
(rarely), Braconidae
, and Ichneumonidae
(e.g. Latibulus argiolus
). There are also some more specialized groups that are more intimately associated with Polistes; this includes strepsiptera
ns in the family Stylopidae
(genus Xenos
), wasps of the genus Elasmus
(formerly placed in their own family, "Elasmidae"), and wasps in the family Trigonalidae
.
Polistinae
The Polistinae are eusocial wasps closely related to the more familiar yellowjackets, but placed in their own subfamily, containing four tribes; with some 1100 species total, it is the second most diverse subfamily within Vespidae, and while most species are tropical or subtropical, they include...
wasps, and are the most common type of paper wasp
Paper wasp
Paper wasps are -long wasps that gather fibers from dead wood and plant stems, which they mix with saliva, and use to construct water-resistant nests made of gray or brown papery material...
. It is also the single largest genus within the family Vespidae, with over 300 recognized species and subspecies. Their innate preferences for nest-building sites leads them to commonly build nests on human habitation, where they can be very unwelcome; although generally non-aggressive, they can be provoked into defending their nests. All species are predatory, and they may consume large numbers of caterpillars, in which respect they are generally considered beneficial. The European paper wasp, Polistes dominula
Polistes dominula
Polistes dominula , sometimes referred to as the European paper wasp, is one of the more common and well-known species of social wasps in Europe...
, was introduced into the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
about 1981 and has quickly spread throughout most of the country, in most cases replacing native species within a couple of years. This species is very commonly mistaken for a yellowjacket
Yellowjacket
Yellowjacket is the common name in North America for predatory wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries...
as it is black, strongly marked with yellow, and quite different from the native North American species of Polistes. Polistes wasps can be identified by their characteristic flight; their long legs dangle below their body, which is also more slender than a yellowjacket.
Life-cycle
- Founding (or pre-emergence) phase
- Worker phase
- Reproductive phase
- Intermediate phase
The founding stage begins in the spring when a solitary female (the "foundress") or a small group of related females initiates the construction of a nest. The wasps begin by fashioning a petiole, a short stalk which will connect the new nest to a substrate (often the eave of a house or outbuilding), and building a single brood cell at the end of it. Further cells are added laterally in a hexagonal pattern, each cell surrounded by six others. Although nests can achieve impressive sizes, they almost always maintain a basic shape: petiolated (stellocyttarous), single-combed, unprotected, and open (gymnodomous).
Eggs are laid by the foundress directly into the brood cells and are guarded by the foundress and the assisting females (if present). After the first larvae hatch, the foundress feeds them via progressive provisioning, bringing softened caterpillar flesh to the larvae multiple times throughout their development (as opposed to the one-time provisioning seen in some other hymenopteran groups). This first seasonal brood of new paper wasps is exclusively female and destined to a subordinate worker position inside the nest; they do not found their own nests and instead assist their mother in the care and maintenance of future sisters.
Some foundress wasps do not build their own nests, but rather attempt to usurp that of another female. These usurpation attempts may or may not be successful but almost always result in impressive displays of aggression and violence. Females may also adopt a more peaceful alternative reproduction strategy by joining the nest of a close relative (usually a sister) and working as assisting females (see above). In the latter case, evidence shows that such co-founding females are generally, but not exclusively, close relatives.
The worker phase usually begins in the early summer, roughly two months after colony initiation, with the emergence of the first workers. These new females take up most of the colony's work duties, foraging, caring for brood, and maintaining the structure of the nest. Around this time, those females who assisted in nest foundation (if present) are driven from the nest by aggressive behavior on the part of the foundress, and leave either to start their own late-season nest or usurp another's.
The reproductive phase of the colony begins when the first female reproductives (the gyne
Gyne
Gyne is the primary reproductive female caste of social insects . Gynes are those destined to become queens, whereas female workers are typically sterile and cannot become queens...
s) emerge from their brood cells. These reproductives differ from their worker sisters by having increased levels of fat stores and cryoprotectant
Cryoprotectant
A cryoprotectant is a substance that is used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage . Arctic and Antarctic insects, fish, amphibians and reptiles create cryoprotectants in their bodies to minimize freezing damage during cold winter periods. Insects most often use sugars or polyols as...
carbohydrate compounds (allowing them to survive the over-wintering period). These reproductives will contribute genes directly to the next generation, while their worker sisters will normally pass along their genes indirectly.
Hibernaculum
Hibernaculum can refer to:* Hibernaculum , the location chosen by an animal for hibernation...
) in which to over-winter.
Dominance hierarchy system
Morphologically, there is little difference between the foundress and subordinate reproductive members of the colony. However, several studies have shown that behavioral differentiation occurs among females both between and within generations. This has been best-studied in P. dominula.Nestmate recognition
Cuticle
A cuticle , or cuticula, is a term used for any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or parts of an organism, that provide protection. Various types of "cuticles" are non-homologous; differing in their origin, structure, function, and chemical composition...
hydrocarbon "signature" is derived both from the plant material and the foundress-applied substances from which the nest is made. Studies of Polistes fuscatus have looked into the molecular basis of the recognition "pheromone
Pheromone
A pheromone is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting outside the body of the secreting individual to impact the behavior of the receiving individual...
" used by the wasps, and indicate that at least some of the recognizable labels have the same chemical constituents as the adult cuticular hydrocarbons.
Dominant individuals of P. dominulus have differing cuticular profile to workers, and the frequent observations of the dominant female stroking its gaster
Gaster
The gaster is the bulbous posterior portion of the metasoma found in Apocrita Hymenoptera . This begins with abdominal segment III on most ants, but some make a postpetiole out of segment III, in which case the gaster begins with abdominal segment IV....
across the nest surface, combined with its staying on the nest for longer times than subordinates, suggests that the dominant individual may contribute more to the nest odor.
A study of P. carolina showed that females do not preferentially feed their own progeny (as larvae), so it may be the case that nest odour only serves as a likely indicator of relatedness, rather than a specific label of kinship.
Further to this recognition of nest-mates, a study on Polistes biglumis illustrated how foundresses discriminate between 'alien' eggs and their own, via differential oophagy. Interestingly, the discrimination focused upon eggs destined to be reproductives, with 'alien' worker destined eggs allowed to remain on the nest. The authors speculated that the benefits of allowing worker destined eggs to remain (and so hatch to become workers which will then aid the colony) outweigh the costs of initially provisioning the resultant larvae.
The mechanism of differentiation was not elucidated, but was thought to be based upon differences in cuticular hydrocarbon odor. Whether the discriminatory oophagy was a result of decreased tolerance of alien odors during the later, reproductive phase of the colony cycle, or an actual discrimination between worker and reproductive destined eggs, remains to be supported with good evidence.
Species
- Polistes actaeonPolistes actaeonPolistes actaeon is a species of paper wasp. It is found in southern Brazil.- External links :* at ZipcodeZoo...
- Polistes adelphus
- Polistes adustus
- Polistes affinis
- Polistes africanus
- Polistes albicinctus
- Polistes albocalcaratus
- Polistes angulinus
- Polistes angusticlypeus
- Polistes annularisPolistes annularisPolistes annularis is a species of paper wasp which lives in North America.-Description:Unusually for a North American Polistes, P. annularis shows little sexual dimorphism in coloration. It resembles Polistes metricus, which differs from P. annularis in a number of ways, including the coloration...
- Polistes apachus
- Polistes apicalis
- Polistes aquilinus
- Polistes arizonensis
- Polistes arthuri
- Polistes assamensis
- Polistes associus
- Polistes asterope
- Polistes aterrimus
- Polistes atrimandibularis
- Polistes atrox
- Polistes aurifer
- Polistes badius
- Polistes bahamensis
- Polistes balder
- Polistes bambusae
- Polistes bellicosus
- Polistes bequaertellus
- Polistes bequaerti
- Polistes bequaertianus
- Polistes bicolor
- Polistes biglumis
- Polistes biguttatus
- Polistes billardieri
- Polistes binotatus
- Polistes bischoffi
- Polistes bituberculatus
- Polistes boharti
- Polistes brevifissus
- Polistes buruensis
- Polistes buyssoni
- Polistes callimorpha
- Polistes canadensis
- Polistes candidoi
- Polistes capnodes
- Polistes carnifex
- Polistes carolina
- Polistes cavapyta
- Polistes cavapytiformis
- Polistes chinensisPolistes chinensisPolistes chinensis is a polistine vespid in the cosmopolitan genus Polistes, and is commonly known as the Asian, Chinese or Japanese paper wasp. It is found in East Asia . The subspecies Polistes chinensis antennalis is a common non-native insect of New Zealand, arriving in 1979...
- Polistes cinerascens
- Polistes claripennis
- Polistes clavicornis
- Polistes comanchus
- Polistes consobrinus
- Polistes contrarius
- Polistes crinitus
- Polistes cubensis
- Polistes davillae
- Polistes dawnae
- Polistes deceptor
- Polistes defectivus
- Polistes delhiensis
- Polistes diabolicus
- Polistes diakonovi
- Polistes dominicus
- Polistes dominulaPolistes dominulaPolistes dominula , sometimes referred to as the European paper wasp, is one of the more common and well-known species of social wasps in Europe...
- Polistes dorsalis
- Polistes ebsohinus
- Polistes eburneus
- Polistes elegans
- Polistes ellenbergi
- Polistes ephippium
- Polistes erythrinus
- Polistes erythrocephalus
- Polistes exclamans
- Polistes extraneus
- Polistes facilis
- Polistes fastidiosus
- Polistes ferreri
- Polistes flavobilineatus
- Polistes flavus
- Polistes fordi
- Polistes formosanus
- Polistes franciscanus
- Polistes fuscatus
- Polistes gallicusPolistes gallicusPolistes gallicus is a fairly common species of European paper wasp, almost indistinguishable from the European paper wasp, Polistes dominula, with which it had long been confused. Nearly every reference to "P. gallicus" prior to 1985 was actually referring to P...
- Polistes geminatus
- Polistes gigas
- Polistes goeldii
- Polistes haugi
- Polistes hebridensis
- Polistes horrendus
- Polistes huacapistana
- Polistes huisunensis
- Polistes humilisPolistes humilisThe common paper wasp, Polistes humilis, is a species of Vespidae that occurs throughout Australia.-Description:Adults are about 10-15mm long with a tanish-red coloration with bands of yellow on the face...
- Polistes incertus
- Polistes indicus
- Polistes infuscatus
- Polistes intermedius
- Polistes iranus
- Polistes japonicus
- Polistes jokahamae
- Polistes kaibabensis
- Polistes khasianus
- Polistes laevigatissimus
- Polistes lanio
- Polistes lateritius
- Polistes latinis
- Polistes legnotus
- Polistes lepcha
- Polistes lineonotus
- Polistes loveridgei
- Polistes lycus
- Polistes macrocephalus
- Polistes madecassus
- Polistes madiburensis
- Polistes major
- Polistes mandarinus
- Polistes maranonensis
- Polistes marginalis
- Polistes meadeanus
- Polistes melanopterus
- Polistes melanosoma
- Polistes melanotus
- Polistes mertoni
- Polistes metricusPolistes metricusMetricus paper wasp is a North American paper wasp. It ranges throughout the southern Midwest, the South, and as far northeast as New York, but has recently been spotted in southwest Ontario. A single female specimen has also been reported from Dryden, Maine...
- Polistes mexicanus
- Polistes minor
- Polistes moraballi
- Polistes myersi
- Polistes mysteriosus
- Polistes niger
- Polistes nigrifrons
- Polistes nigrifrons
- Polistes nigritarsis
- Polistes nimpha
- Polistes ninabamba
- Polistes nipponensis
- Polistes notatipes
- Polistes obscurus
- Polistes occipitalis
- Polistes occultus
- Polistes oculatus
- Polistes olivaceus
- Polistes opacus
- Polistes ornatus
- Polistes pacificus
- Polistes palmarum
- Polistes paraguayensis
- Polistes penai
- Polistes penthicus
- Polistes perflavus
- Polistes perplexus
- Polistes peruvianus
- Polistes philippinensis
- Polistes poeyi
- Polistes praenotatus
- Polistes pseudoculatus
- Polistes quadricingulatus
- Polistes ridleyi
- Polistes riekii
- Polistes riparius
- Polistes rossi
- Polistes rothneyi
- Polistes rubellus
- Polistes rufidens
- Polistes rufiventris
- Polistes rufodorsalis
- Polistes sagittarius
- Polistes santoshae
- Polistes satan
- Polistes saussurei
- Polistes schach
- Polistes semenowi
- Polistes semiflavus
- Polistes sgarambus
- Polistes shirakii
- Polistes sikorae
- Polistes similis
- Polistes simillimus
- Polistes simulatus
- Polistes smithii
- Polistes snelleni
- Polistes stabilinus
- Polistes stenopus
- Polistes stigma
- Polistes strigosus
- Polistes subsericeus
- Polistes sulcifer
- Polistes takasagonus
- Polistes tenebricosus
- Polistes tenellus
- Polistes tenuispunctia
- Polistes tepidus
- Polistes testaceicolor
- Polistes thoracicus
- Polistes torresae
- Polistes tristis
- Polistes tullgreni
- Polistes utakwae
- Polistes variabilis
- Polistes veracrucis
- Polistes versicolor
- Polistes wattii
- Polistes watutus
- Polistes weyrauchorum
- Polistes williamsi
- Polistes xanthogaster
- Polistes xantholeucus
Pest status
Along with the GermanGerman wasp
The German wasp, or European wasp, Vespula germanica, is a wasp found in much of the Northern Hemisphere, native to Europe, northern Africa, and temperate Asia. It has been introduced and is well-established in many other places, including North America, South America , Australia and New Zealand...
and common wasp
Common wasp
The common wasp, Vespula vulgaris, known in the US as the yellowjacket, is found in much of the Northern Hemisphere and has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It is a eusocial vespid which builds its grey paper nest in or on a structure capable of supporting it...
s, the Asian and Australian paper wasps (Polistes chinensis
Polistes chinensis
Polistes chinensis is a polistine vespid in the cosmopolitan genus Polistes, and is commonly known as the Asian, Chinese or Japanese paper wasp. It is found in East Asia . The subspecies Polistes chinensis antennalis is a common non-native insect of New Zealand, arriving in 1979...
and P. humilis
Polistes humilis
The common paper wasp, Polistes humilis, is a species of Vespidae that occurs throughout Australia.-Description:Adults are about 10-15mm long with a tanish-red coloration with bands of yellow on the face...
) are considered pests in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Arriving in 1979, the Asian paper wasp has established itself on both North Island and northern parts of South Island. Because it competes with native species (such as the kākā
Kaka
The New Zealand Kaka, also known as Kākā, is a New Zealand parrot endemic to the native forests of New Zealand.-Description:...
) for insects, nectar and honeydew, it is a hindrance to conservation
Conservation movement
The conservation movement, also known as nature conservation, is a political, environmental and a social movement that seeks to protect natural resources including animal, fungus and plant species as well as their habitat for the future....
efforts.
Parasites
Various other insects are parasites or parasitoidParasitoid
A parasitoid is an organism that spends a significant portion of its life history attached to or within a single host organism in a relationship that is in essence parasitic; unlike a true parasite, however, it ultimately sterilises or kills, and sometimes consumes, the host...
s of Polistes, including flies (e.g., Sarcophagidae), mantispids, and wasps in the families Torymidae
Torymidae
Torymidae is a family of wasps that consists of attractive metallic species with enlarged hind legs, and generally with a long ovipositor. Many are parasitoids on gall-forming insects, and some are phytophagous species, sometimes usurping the galls formed by other insects. There are over 960...
, Mutillidae
Mutillidae
Mutillidae are a family of more than 3,000 species of wasp whose wingless females resemble ants. Their common name velvet ant refers to their dense pile of hair which most often is bright scarlet or orange but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Their bright colours serve as aposematic signals...
(rarely), Braconidae
Braconidae
Braconidae is a family of parasitoid wasps and one of the richest families of insects. Between 50,000 and 150,000 species exist worldwide. The species are grouped into about 45 subfamilies and 1,000 genera, some important ones being: Ademon, Aphanta, Asobara, Bracon hebetor, Cenocoelius, Chaenusa,...
, and Ichneumonidae
Ichneumonidae
Ichneumonidae is a family within the insect order Hymenoptera. Insects in this family are commonly called ichneumon wasps. Less exact terms are ichneumon flies , or scorpion wasps due to the extreme lengthening and curving of the abdomen...
(e.g. Latibulus argiolus
Latibulus
Latibulus argiolus is a wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The name is a senior synonym of Endurus argiolus.- Biology:Latibulus argiolus is a parasitoid which lies in wait in the near proximity of a Polistes paper wasp nest waiting for an opportunity for penetration and then, within a few seconds,...
). There are also some more specialized groups that are more intimately associated with Polistes; this includes strepsiptera
Strepsiptera
The Strepsiptera are an order of insects with ten families making up about 600 species...
ns in the family Stylopidae
Stylopidae
Stylopidae are an insect family of the order Strepsiptera. This family contains more than 250 species.-Genera:*Crawfordia Pierce, 1908 *Eurystylops Bohart, 1943 *Halictoxenos Pierce, 1908 *Hylecthrus Saunders, 1850...
(genus Xenos
Xenos (genus)
Xenos is a genus of insects belonging to the Stylopidae family. The word derives from the Greek word for strange.A species of the genus is Xenos vesparum, first described by Pietro Rossi in 1793The females are permanent entomophagous endoparasites of Polistes paper wasps. They dwell their whole...
), wasps of the genus Elasmus
Elasmus
The genus Elasmus is the only member of the subfamily Elasminae , and contains over 200 species worldwide. They are mostly parasitoids or hyperparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae, though several species are parasitoids of Polistes paper wasp larvae....
(formerly placed in their own family, "Elasmidae"), and wasps in the family Trigonalidae
Trigonalidae
Trigonalidae is one of the more unusual families of hymenopteran insects, of indeterminate affinity within the suborder Apocrita , and presently placed in its own superfamily, Trigonaloidea...
.