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Photo#244391
Polistes - female

Polistes - Female
Southern, New Jersey, USA
June 7, 2008

Polistes metricus?
I would go with P. metricus based on the seemingly convex sternum 2 but wait for an expert...

Sharp image, by the way!

 
Sharp image indeed
And interesting too. While a freshly laid egg can be seen in an outer, still uncompleted cell, a 3rd or 4th instar larva is already growing in a more inner, nearly finished cell.
Despite the somewhat treacherous variability of P. fuscatus, I think this species can be confidently ruled out this time, leaving only P. metricus. But let's wait for Dr. Buck's confirmation - or correction.
Approximate date of "capture" (at least early/mid/late month) would be useful.

 
that's where i was leaning...
that's where i was leaning...

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