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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 » Vespidae » Paper Wasps (Polistinae) » Long-waisted Paper Wasps (Mischocyttarus) » Western Paper Wasp (Mischocyttarus flavitarsis)
Photo#383470
Not Posites aurifer, but - Mischocyttarus flavitarsis - female
Copyright © 2010 Arthur Scott Macmillan

Not Posites aurifer, but - Mischocyttarus flavitarsis - Female
Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, California, USA
April 8, 2010
Size: 12-14mm or so
I think that this is Polistes aurifer, however, I very seldom see them, as Polistes dominula seems to be far more common, so I would appreciate a confirmation!

Images of this individual: tag all
Not Posites aurifer, but - Mischocyttarus flavitarsis - female Not Posites aurifer, but - Mischocyttarus flavitarsis - female
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Contributed by Arthur Scott Macmillan on 8 April, 2010 - 11:47pm
Last updated 9 April, 2010 - 5:33pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 9 April, 2010 - 5:33pm login or register to post comments

Mischocyttarus flavitarsis - female
P. aurifer has a very similar color pattern, but genus Mischocyttarus is distinguished from Polistes by the much narrower 1st gastral segment.
Thank you for sharing these very nice pics.
… Richard Vernier, 9 April, 2010 - 8:27am login or register to post comments

 
I'm sure glad I checked now!
The color pattern is what got me, however, I was really surprised that the proportions were so radically different than those of Polistes dominula! However, seeing the reddish antennae made me think it must be a Polistes species. Anyways, I am not near to a natural body of water, which I believe is a requirement for P. aurifer, unless you count a small creek which is dried up half of the time.

Thanks for the ID!
… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 9 April, 2010 - 5:14pm login or register to post comments

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