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Photo#247493
Large Polistes - Polistes
Copyright © 2008 Loren & Babs Padelford

Large Polistes - Polistes
NABA Butterfly Gardens, Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas, USA
December 24, 2008
Size: approximately 1.5"
This large polistes was attracted to butterfly bait. This species was seen several times at NABA and also at Bentsen RGV State Park about a mile away. Can this be Polistes carnifex? or major?

Thanks,

Loren and Babs Padelford
Bellevue, NE
Contributed by Loren & Babs Padelford on 2 January, 2009 - 9:22pm
Last updated 3 January, 2009 - 12:52pm

Polistes major or Polistes carnifex
It looks like either P. major (more likely) or P. carnifex. I'm not sure how to tell them apart. From what I understand, P. carnifex is relatively rare

Hopefully Mr. Buck will be able to tell for sure
… Vespula vulgaris, 2 January, 2009 - 9:24pm

 
Unfortunately
these two species are very close. I don't feel confident to make a call based on photographs alone. Very good find!
… Matthias Buck, 3 January, 2009 - 12:37pm

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