Polistes metricus

Metric paper wasp
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Subfamily: Polistinae
Tribe: Polistini
Genus: Polistes
Species:
P. metricus
Binomial name
Polistes metricus
Say, 1831
P. metricus

Polistes metricus (metric paper wasp or metricus paper wasp) is a wasp native to North America. In the United States, it ranges throughout the southern Midwest, the South, and as far northeast as New York, but has recently been spotted in southwest Ontario. A single female specimen has also been reported from Dryden, Maine.[1] P. metricus is dark colored, with yellow tarsi and black tibia.[2] Nests of P. metricus can be found attached to the sides of buildings, trees, and shrubbery.[3]

Like other Polistes species, P. metricus has evolved eusociality and demonstrates behaviors including nestmate discrimination and local mate competition.[4] Like other hymenopterans, P. metricus has a haplodiploid genetic system.[5] Nests of P. metricus have distinct characteristics like the ability to share nests with other Polistes species and reuse nests for multiple seasons.[6] Another distinction is that P. metricus foragers take off from their nests in different directions depending on how long their trip will be. For short flights, they exit the nest flying horizontally, while for long flights, they exit the nest flying straight up into a high altitude before pursuing their direction.

P. metricus prefers to use soft-bodied prey, especially caterpillars, to feed its larvae.[7]

  1. ^ Matthias Buck; Stephen A. Marshall; David K.B. Cheung (2008). "Identification Atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the northeastern Nearctic region". Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification. 05. doi:10.3752/cjai.2008.05. ISSN 1911-2173. Retrieved 15 Apr 2011.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Isely, D (1922). "Notes on the nesting of Polistes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)". Kansas University Science Bulletin. 14: 341–343. [Nesting habits of P. metricus]
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Toth, A. L. 2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Metcalf, Robert A 1980 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Dew, Heather (1978). "Foraging Flights of Two Species of Polistes Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society.