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Polistes stigma
Polistes stigma is a small paper wasp and distributed in much of Asia. It is a rich brown color with lighter orange brown legs and antennae. The end of the abdomen is banded with yellow. The wings are the most distinctive feature; on the edge of each forewing, which are clear, there is a noticeable dark spot. This is one of the smallest Polistes species, reaching merely 14mm on average. Food: The wasps take caterpillars to feed their larvae. Breeding: Builds a paper nest, usually hanging downwards with open cells on the bottom. Classification: Class Insecta, Order Hymenoptera, Family Vespidae, Genus Polistes, Species stigma. Common Name: Tropical Paper Wasp.
Backyard garden, on Canna Lily and Lemongrass leaves. Actual spotting was located in Biñan Laguna, Philippines.
Polistes stigma (subgenus Polistella) is a widespread Indo-Australian species which differentiates into allopatric colour forms, subspecies. In the present work 19 subspecies are recognized, mainly from the periphery of the range of P. stigma. 9 subspecies are new, viz., galatheae (India: Nicobar Islands), sauiensis (India: Car Nicobar), alagari (Philippines: Tawi Tawi), pouli (Bismarck Islands: Lavongai), madsi (Bismarck Islands: Dyaul), goestai (Bismarck Islands: Mussau), jani (Admiralty Islands: Manus), and svendi (Admiralty Islands: Luf, Hermit Islands). With status downgraded 7 taxa are ranked to subspecies of P. stigma, viz., P. novarae Saussure, 1867 (India: Nicobar Islands), P. multipictus Smith, 1861 (Indonesia: Ambon), P. manillensis Saussure, 1853-55 (Philippines), P. dubius Saussure, 1867 (Philippines: Luzon, ?Calicoan), P. maculipennis Saussure, 1853-55 (New Guinea), P. bernardii Guillou, 1841 (N. Australia) and P. townsvillensis Soika, 1975 (E. Australia). New synonyms are: P. richtersi Soika, 1975 = P. bernardii Guillou, 1841 and P. comis Cheesman, 1951 = P. maculipennis Saussure, 1853-55. References: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/br.... http://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Tropical.... http://vespa-bicolor.net/main/vespid/pol.... http://gvcocks.homeip.net/Hymenoptera/Ve....
Spotted on Sep 25, 2012
Submitted on Sep 29, 2012
6 Comments
Thanks next! :)
It's still a great series. Great facial shot too.
Thanks Megs.
Thanks Johan for pointing that out. I believe you are right. Will edit and seek help for correct species name. Thanks!
I agree on Polistes, but exclamans have more yellow rings around the abdomen than the one shown here.
https://www.google.co.za/#hl=en&suge...
Fantastic series! Love the colours.