Types of Paper Wasps

Common Paper Wasp

• The term "common paper wasp" usually refers to either the Polistes exclamans or Polistes humilis species of paper wasp. The former lives primarily in parts of the United States and Canada, while the latter is found in Australia. Both types of common paper wasp have a tendency to build sheltered nests near areas trafficked by humans, especially under the eaves of buildings. While relatively similar in size (roughly 5/8 of an inch), their coloration differs slightly. The American P. exclamans is mostly red with red, black, and yellow stripes along the abdomen, while the Australian P. humilis is mostly tan, with reddish stripes on the abdomen and a yellow face. P. humilis is the only paper wasp species native to Australia. Both species feed primarily on caterpillars and sugary nectar.

Red Wasp

• The term "red wasp" usually refers to either the Polistes carolina or Polistes perplexus species of paper wasp, both found in parts of the United States and Canada. Both species are roughly 1 inch in length and, as the name implies, are almost entirely red with slender black wings. However, P. carolina typically exhibits a single black mark on the thorax, while P. perplexus has multiple black thorax markings. Like most paper wasps, red wasps feed mainly on caterpillars and sugary nectar. Both types of red wasp build giant, upside-down, dome-shaped nests. P. Carolina, however, tends to build nests out in the open, while P. perplexus typically hides nests away in low-traffic areas.

European Paper Wasp

• Native throughout Europe, the European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) has been recently introduced to areas of the United States. Often mistaken for yellow-jacket hornets, European paper wasps exhibit very similar markings; their bodies are black with yellow stripes and legs. The European paper wasp can be distinguished from the yellow jacket, however, by its bright orange antennae and much more slender and distinctly segmented body. The European paper wasp tends to nest in covered, highly trafficked areas, but usually does not attack unless provoked. This species feeds on sugary nectar and caterpillars (like most species). It tends to also predate a wider variety of insect species, however, allowing it to out-compete other--often native--species of paper wasp.