Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#63214
Wasp - please ID - Polistes dominula

Wasp - please ID - Polistes dominula
Long Island, New York, USA
July 11, 2006
Size: 1 inch appoximately
Please help ID

this wasp
is a Polistes dominulus. They are paper wasps meaning that they chew up wood and build their nests out of it, like most social wasps. Unlike yellowjackets however, these girls dont have a queen, but instead a 'foundress'. Any of her offspring could potentially start their own nests.