Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Photos of insects and people from the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2024

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29


Previous events


TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#6202
Paper Wasp - Polistes fuscatus - male

Paper Wasp - Polistes fuscatus - Male
Kennebunk, Maine, USA
August 25, 2004
Image1/2;2.5cm;prominent red spot on sides abdomen.Hooked antennae;not aggressive;ID by EE..Polistes spp,male..see his comment

Male paper wasp
The hooked antennae indicate this is a male. Paper wasps, Polistes sp., vary tremendously in color and markings from individual to individual.

 
wasp
V J Hickey: Thanks Eric. I should know that wasps/bees can and do vary as much as people. Question: are there any studies on bee/wasp
DNA.

 
P. fuscatus.
The red spots on the abdomen are relatively consistent in Polistes fuscatus, so moving to that guide page, at least for now:-)

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.