As typical of members of the subgenus
Polistes (Aphanilopterus), the first metasomal segment is slender and slightly elongate, and the antennae are dark with contrasting orange tips. The species has a yellow spot on the mesopleuron, typically yellow apical band of the tergum, and developed yellow markings on the mesosoma. It is most similar in coloration to
P. exclamans, which also occurs in Florida. While
P. bahamensis have less developed yellow markings than typical of
P. exclamans including on the metasoma, the populace of
P. exclamans occurring in Florida can also have less developed yellow markings. The most reliable trait for separating the two is that females of
P. bahamensis have entirely black fore coxae (versus yellow-marked or at least ferruginous in
P. exclamans).