Paper Wasp - Polistes metricus

by Carol Senske

Title

Paper Wasp - Polistes metricus

Artist

Carol Senske

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Paper wasps will build their nests near other paper wasps, but they are not colonial in the same way as honey bees and yellow jackets that live in groups with hundreds of individuals.

This particular wasp was chewing cellulose from the dead stem of last year's cosmos plants. There were a number of them collecting nest material and I located them by the sound of their chewing. They are not aggressive if they don't feel threatened, but do not get overly close to them or especially to their nests - they do have a nasty sting. If you get stung, use a paste of meat tenderizer to dilute the venom or use a paste of baking soda which also helps.

This picture was taken May 5, 2012, in Green Lane, Pennsylvania, USA.

Here is a nice, short write up on paper wasps:

http://www.whyistheanswer.com/paper_wasp_polistes_metricus/

Detailed range data can be found here; generally these wasps are found in the Eastern half of the United States, but a specimen is said to have been found in Ontario, Canada.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/60264/data

Uploaded

May 6th, 2012

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