Comanche Paper Wasp
Polistes comanchus
This record describes Polistes comanchus (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A bright species of Polistes (Aphanilopterus) with a red-and-black thorax and an extensively yellow abdomen. P. c. comanchus has a black scutellum and extensively red T2 segment of the abdomen. Range: e. NM, TX P. c. navajoe has a red scutellum and the front half of the T2 segment of the abdomen black. Range: AZ, CA, NM
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
desert southwest: CA-TX
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Polistes comanchus Saussure, 1857
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Polistes comanchus. 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 Comanche Paper Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Comanche Paper Wasp
What is Comanche Paper Wasp?
Comanche Paper Wasp (Polistes comanchus) is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Comanche Paper Wasp?
A bright species of Polistes (Aphanilopterus) with a red-and-black thorax and an extensively yellow abdomen. P. c. comanchus has a black scutellum and extensively red T2 segment of the abdomen. Range: e. NM, TX P. c. navajoe has a red scutellum and the front half of the T2 segment of the abdomen black. Range: AZ, CA, NM
Where is Comanche Paper Wasp found?
Range: desert southwest: CA-TX