European Paper Wasp Polistes dominulus

The European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominulus aka dominula), a common North American speices, was introduced from Europe. It is our only paper wasp with orangish-brown antennae. These wasps are about 1.5 cm long.

Wasps in the family Vespidae normally fold their forewings longitudinally at rest (1, 3). Image 2 shows an unfolded wing, with the veination visible.

Images 4 and 5 show a nest. Image 5 shows larvae at different stages of development. In a QuickTime movie, you can see this female clean herself, poke her head into a cell, then fan the nest.

Polistes dominulus shows variation in the facial markings (6). These markings appear to signal mating quality. (See Facial Quality Signal in a Wasp)