Parametric Paper Wasp
Polistes parametricus
This record describes Polistes parametricus (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Distribution still insufficiently known. Southern Pennsylvania to southwestern North Carolina, west to Missouri.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The species was previously suspected to be a social parasite but has since been confirmed as having a life cycle like that of other northeastern paper wasps in North America.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The name parametricus refers both to the similarity with P. metricus and to the fact that morphometric parameters played a crucial role in defining this species.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Polistes parametricus. 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 Parametric Paper Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by Vespula vulgaris , KenW , PaleoJon