Paper Wasp (species: Polistes (Polistes) tepidus) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island area: all known taxa > Animalia > Arthropoda > Hexapoda > Insecta > Hymenoptera > Vespidae > Polistes > Polistes (Polistes) tepidus (gallery)
Polistes (Polistes) tepidus
Paper Wasp


©Rituraj Sharma: Polistes (Polistes) tepidus at Lizard Island Research Station.

©Rituraj Sharma: Polistes (Polistes) tepidus at Lizard Island Research Station.

©Anne Hoggett: Paper Wasp at water source, Lizard Island.

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Hymenoptera
Family Vespidae
Genus Polistes
Species Polistes (Polistes) tepidus

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Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

              

Distinguishing features

A large wasp, black with yellow/orange antennae, yellow distal parts of legs, and bands across the abdomen that grade from yellow to orange posteriorly. Builds papery nests that hang from a single point.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Wingspan

  • Wingspan data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Comments

Thanks to Graham Brown for identifying the species, and to Dr Ben Hoffmann (CSIRO) for his assistance.

by Anne Hoggett

Distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Common. Nests are frequently seen on trees and buildings.

Web resources

Danger

  • significant discomfort - These wasps have a powerful sting and will aggressively defend the nest. Treat with ice.