Neotropical Red Paper Wasp
Polistes canadensis
This record describes Polistes canadensis (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to P. major castaneicolor but has the first metasomal segment narrower (in dorsal view)
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
extreme southern Arizona to northern Argentina
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus 1758)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Polistes canadensis. 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 Neotropical Red Paper Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by George Waldren; Additional contributions by Matthias Buck , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Neotropical Red Paper Wasp
What is Neotropical Red Paper Wasp?
Neotropical Red Paper Wasp (Polistes canadensis) is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Neotropical Red Paper Wasp?
Very similar to P. major castaneicolor but has the first metasomal segment narrower (in dorsal view)
Where is Neotropical Red Paper Wasp found?
Range: extreme southern Arizona to northern Argentina