Species Polistes dominula - European Paper Wasp

Polistes dominula (Christ, 1791)

Polistes dominulus (Christ, 1791) [!] - unjustified emendation (see below)

Orig. comb.: Vespa dominula Christ, 1791

Until recently, the epithet was treated as an adjective describing the masculine noun Polistes (thus "dominulus"). However, the epithet is now recognized as a feminine noun on its own as dominula (see Brown, 1954: Composition of Scientific Words). Under the rules of ICZN, a noun used as a specific epithet does not change to match the gender of the genus.

Polistes dominula (Christ, 1791)

This is the only member of the subgenus Polistes (Polistes) found in our area.

The mostly vibrant-orange antennae are diagnostic in our area. Globally, the species is separated from similar species within the subgenus Polistes (Polistes) by the combination of (usually) entirely black mandibles, (usually) a pair of spots on the mesoscutum, and yellow pygidium and underlying hypopygium.(1)

♀ ♂

Throughout Eurasia (native range); across US and Canada; introduced in the 1980s or earlier.

Larvae are fed chewed-up pieces of caterpillars and other insects caught by adults. The adults, like other paper wasps, feed on nectar from flowers and other sugary liquids.

Only females are able to overwinter. Some "workers" of previous season are able to survive and act as auxiliary females for the foundresses, provided the quiescent phase has been short enough. (Comment by Richard Vernier)