Polistes Exclamans (Paper Wasp)

Description:

Polistes exclamans is a social wasp found in the southern United States and northern Mexico. This species has also been observed in Missouri, Maryland, and New Jersey. There has been a northward expansion of the eastern half of the U.S. This expansion is typically attributed to changing global climate and temperatures. This species does not have a widely used common name, though in Texas some call it a yellowjacket. A name it shares there with Vespula. The name guinea wasp has been used, but has not been widely adopted. Polistes exclamans is also referred to by a generic name for the genus Polistes which is called paper wasps.