Bahamian Paper Wasp
Polistes bahamensis
This record describes Polistes bahamensis (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
As typical of members of the subgenus Polistes (Aphanilopterus) , the first metasomal segment is slender and slightly elongate, and the antennae are dark with contrasting orange tips. The species has a yellow spot on the mesopleuron, typically yellow apical band of the tergum, and developed yellow markings on the mesosoma. It is most similar in coloration to P. exclamans , which also occurs in Florida. While P. bahamensis have less developed yellow markings than typical of P. exclamans including on the metasoma, the populace of P. exclamans occurring in Florida can also have less developed yellow markings. The most reliable trait for separating the two is that females of P. bahamensis have entirely black fore coxae (versus yellow-marked or at least ferruginous in P. exclamans ).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Polistinae
- Genus
- Polistes (Umbrella Paper Wasps)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Besides the Bahamas, P. bahamensis is known from FL, GA, and LA, and AL, NC, and SC were added from 2017 to 2023 iNaturalist records.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Polistes bahamensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bahamian Paper Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tom Bentley; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Vespula vulgaris , PaleoJon , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Bahamian Paper Wasp
What is Bahamian Paper Wasp?
Bahamian Paper Wasp (Polistes bahamensis) is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Bahamian Paper Wasp?
As typical of members of the subgenus Polistes (Aphanilopterus) , the first metasomal segment is slender and slightly elongate, and the antennae are dark with contrasting orange tips. The species has a yellow spot on the mesopleuron, typically yellow apical band of the tergum, and developed yellow markings on the mesosoma. It is most similar in coloration to P. exclamans , which also occurs in Florida. While P. bahamensis have less developed yellow markings than typical of P. exclamans including on the metasoma, the populace of P. exclamans occurring in Florida can also have less developed yellow markings. The most reliable trait for separating the two is that females of P. bahamensis have entirely black fore coxae (versus yellow-marked or at least ferruginous in P. exclamans ).
Where is Bahamian Paper Wasp found?
Range: Besides the Bahamas, P. bahamensis is known from FL, GA, and LA, and AL, NC, and SC were added from 2017 to 2023 iNaturalist records.