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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Vespoidea » Hornets, Yellowjackets; Paper, Potter, Mason, and Pollen Wasps; and Allies (Vespidae) » Paper Wasps (Polistinae) » Umbrella Paper Wasps (Polistes) » Subgenus Fuscopolistes (Polistes Subgenus Fuscopolistes) » Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
Photo#32117
Polistes - but which? - Polistes fuscatus - male
Copyright © 2005 Steve Scott

Polistes - but which? - Polistes fuscatus - Male
Giant City State Park, Illinois, USA
September 16, 2005
nectaring on goldenrod, can't id to species level
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Steve Scott on 18 September, 2005 - 9:20pm
Last updated 28 June, 2006 - 5:41pm

Male Polistes.
This is a male paper wasp, probably P. fuscatus, but there is so much variability among individuals I can't say conclusively.
… Eric R. Eaton, 19 September, 2005 - 12:37pm login or register to post comments

 
Male identification
Steve Scott

What are the identifiers for male vs. female. I've noticed that call on several of the shots on the site but no clarification of what to look for.

Thanks
… Steve Scott, 20 September, 2005 - 9:25am login or register to post comments

 
Look at the antennae
The males are the ones with the curved tips.
… Beatriz Moisset, 21 October, 2005 - 10:44am login or register to post comments

 
Polistes fuscatus
Thanks for the info.
… Susan Wagoner, 8 October, 2021 - 9:13pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes, plus....
Yes, males have longer, usually hooked, antennae, but most also have a 'square,' yellow face, in contrast to the female's dark, triangular face. This one is indeed a P. fuscatus.
… Eric R. Eaton, 28 June, 2006 - 5:40pm login or register to post comments

 
Polistes fuscatus
Thanks a lot!
… Susan Wagoner, 8 October, 2021 - 9:14pm login or register to post comments

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