Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistes fuscatus aurifer (Golden Polistes)

This is a very common local wasp. It is moderatesized (body length 3/4 in., or 20 mm long).

Photograph by C. Hogue

The umbrella-shaped nests, which are made of a paper-like substance, are composed of a single layer of cells and attached by a short stem to the underside of overhanging surfaces (eaves or fence rails, for example). Adult wasps gather caterpillars, which they skin and chew before feeding them to the grub-like larvae developing in the cells.

A new nest is constructed each spring by an over-wintering female that mated the previous antumn. Colonies consist of males, females, and workers, all of the same general form. Workers are fairly easily provoked and sting forcibly.

© 1993 Insects of the Los Angeles Basin