Polistes dominula (European paper wasp)

Last update: 21 November 2024


Uncommon

Species European paper wasp (Polistes dominula)
Genus POLISTES
Family VESPIDAE



Ecological role Predator + pollinator

Voltinism Univoltine
Activity
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec

Observations
2023-IV-212023-IV-042023-III-162022-VIII-302022-VIII-062022-IX-032021-VIII-112020-VIII-092019-VIII-252019-VIII-24
Months
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Years
20192020202120222023

Nesting strategy Hypergeic
Nestarchitecture Gymnodome



Official name

Synonyms

Polistes dominula [Soortenregister],[Dvořák & Castro 2007]

Polistes dominulus
Vespa dominula

see more on: www.gbif.org

Etymology:

dominula

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), imago

CONTENTS

1. Distribution
2. Behaviour
3. Plant relations
4. Prey relations
5. Parasitic relations
6. Identification

1. DISTRIBUTION

Polistes dominula is an uncommon wasp [Waarneming.nl] occurring throughout the Netherlands [Waarneming.nl] .

Garden species

The species has been first observed in our garden in 2019.

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

The species is active from the end of April towards the beginning of November, with the males appearing in the second halve of June [Peeters et al. 2004].

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

Nest

The females of this hypergeic species built their own nests using paper produced from chewed wood pulp. The nest consists of a comb and is gymnodome, i.e. it has no envelope like the nest of for example the Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris). For that reason nest are constructed on somewhat sheltered locations. Often man-made materials are used as substrate for the nest [McGruddy 2021].

Personal observations on Polistes dominula nest locations include:

LocationLandDescription
In windowItalyA large nest with ±250-300 cells (photo below left).
Underneath a rock on the groundFranceNest size could not be determined (photo below right).
In gutterItalyA middle sized nest standing free in the end of a gutter.
In fire hose enclosureItalyA slid-shaped opening in the door of the enclosure provided the entrance to the middle-sized nest hanging inside.
Underneath roof tilesItalyNot clear how many nests were involved. Many specimen were present on the roof of a stone shed-like structure. They emerged from underneath several roof tiles. Inside the shed near the roof top was the entrance to the nest of Vespa crabro.
Porch roofItalyA small nest of ±10 cells hanging on the porch roof close to the wall of the cabin.
Table 2.2-1: Personal observations on nest locations
European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), nest in window
European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), nest underneath a rock on the ground

Depending on the circumstances an old nest may be used, either as substrate for the new nest [Łączyński 2020] or as-is [Bakar et al. 2016].

2.3. BEE HOTEL

In 2022 the species formed aggregation in the deep cracks in the nesting blocks of the bee hotel in our garden. These so-called pre-overwinter aggregations are part of an important social process for the species in which the new queens for the next season are determined [Krischan 2023],[Dapporto et al. 2006].

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), pre-overwinter aggregation

3. PLANT RELATIONS

3.1. WOOD TYPES

The following wood types are mentioned in literature as medium for the wasp to built her nests:

shrubs [McGruddy 2021]
Table 3.1-1: wood types used as nest substrate

3.2. FOOD PLANTS

The following plant species are mentioned in literature as food sources:

AmaryllidaceaeAllium
Allium ramosum (Chinese chive) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
ApiaceaeChaerophyllum
Chaerophyllum bulbosum (Bulbous-rooted chervil) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Cirsium
Cirsium arvense (Creeping thistle) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Daucus
Daucus carota (Carrot) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Eryngium
Eryngium campestre (Field eryngo) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Eryngium maritimum (Sea holly) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Falcaria
Falcaria vulgaris [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Foeniculum
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Heracleum (Hogweed)
Heracleum sphondylium [Amolin & Ogol 2019als Heracleum sibiricum]

Seseli
Seseli libanotis (Moon carrot) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Asteraceae
(Composite family)
Arctium
Arctium lappa (Burdock) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Carduus
Carduus acanthoides [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Centaurea
Centaurea diffusa [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Solidago
Solidago canadensis [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Symphyotrichum
Symphyotrichum novi-belgi [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Taraxacum
Taraxacum officinale [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Tussilago
Tussilago farfara [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Bignoniaceae
(Trumpetvines)
Campsis
Campsis radicans (Trumpetvine) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Brassicaceae
(Cabbage family)
Alliaria
Alliaria petiolata [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Capsella
Capsella bursa-pastoris [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Caprifoliaceae
(Honeysuckle
family)
Symphoricarpos
– Symphoricarpos albus [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
CaryophyllaceaeAlsine
Alsine media [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Gypsophila
Gypsophila paniculata [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Saponaria
Saponaria officinalis [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Convolvulaceae [Amolin & Ogol 2019als Cuscutaceae]Cuscuta
Cuscuta campestris [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
CrassulaceaeHylotelephium
Hylotelephium spectabile [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbia
Euphorbia marginata [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
FabaceaeMelilotus
Melilotus albus [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
LamiaceaeMentha
– Mentha piperita [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Satureja
Satureja monta [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Plantaginaceae [Amolin & Ogol 2019als Veronicaceae]Linaria
– Linaria vulgaris [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
PlumbaginaceaeLimonium
– Limonium platyphyllum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
ResedaceaeReseda
Reseda lutea [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
RosaceaeCrataegus [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Prunus
Prunus cerasifera [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Rubus
Rubus idaeus [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
SalicaceaeSalix [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Salix acutifolia [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
– Salix caprea [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
SapindaceaeAcer (Esdoorn)
Acer platanoides [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Acer pseudoplatanus [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Acer tataricum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Aesculus
Aesculus parviflora [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
TiliaceaeTilia
Tilia cordata [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
ViolaceaeViola
Viola odorata [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Table 3.2-1: Food plants in the Netherlands

Plant species outside the Netherlands:

ApiaceaePeucedanum
Peucedanum ruthenicum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Seseli
Seseli tortuosum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Sium
Sium sisarum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
ApocynaceaeCynanchum
Cynanchum acutum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
AsteraceaeCirsium
Cirsium ukranicum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Galatella
– Galatella dracunculoides [Amolin & Ogol 2019]

Senecio
Senecio macrophyllus [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbia
Euphorbia stepposa [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Euphorbia virgata [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
GrossulariaceaeGrossularia
– Grossularia reclinata [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
LamiaceaeTeucrium
Teucrium polium [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
RubiaceaeGalium
Galium humifusum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Galium articulatum [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
VitaceaeAmpelopsis
Ampelopsis aconitifolia [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Table 3.2-2: Food plants outside the Netherlands

Garden species

Our garden provides some of these foodplants on which the species has been observed foraging:

ApiaceaeFoeniculum
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Bignoniaceae
(Trumpetvines)
Campsis
Campsis radicans (Trumpetvine) [Amolin & Ogol 2019]
Table 3.2-3: Food plants in our garden on which the species has been observed foraging

4. PREY RELATIONS

The species uses caterpillars of butterflies and moths [Hughes et al. 2004] for her brood, but also larvae of other orders are used.


The following species and group occurring in the Netherlands [Soortenregister] are mentioned in literature:

Coleoptera
(Beetles)
Chrysomelidae
Cassida (Tortoisebeetles)
Cassida rubiginosa (Thistle tortoise beetle) [Schenk & Bacher 2002],[Stamp & Bowers 1988],[Spataro et al. 2012]


Coccinellidae (Lady birds)
Coccinella [Howse 2021]


Tenebrionidae
Tenebrio
Tenebrio molitor (Mealworm) [Stamp & Bowers 1988]
Diptera
(Flies)
Agromyzidae
Cerodontha


Ceratopogonidae
Forcipomyia [Howse 2021]


Tabanidae [Howse 2021]
Hemiptera [Howse et al. 2022]
Auchenorrhyncha (Cicadae) [Howse et al. 2022]


Lepidoptera
(Butterflies)
Butterflies
Lycaenidae
Lycaena [Howse 2021]


Pieridae
Pieris
Pieris brassicae [Lucas-Barbosa et al. 2014]
– Pieris napi [Rayor et al. 2007]
Pieris rapae [McGruddy 2021]


Moths
Geometridae [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Chloroclystis [Howse 2021]

Peribatodes [Howse 2021]

Scopula [Howse 2021]


Noctuidae
Agrotis [Howse 2021]

Leucania [Howse 2021]

Mythimna [Howse 2021]

Thysanoplusia [Howse 2021]


Tortricidae [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Epiphyas [Howse 2021]
Epiphyas postvittana [Howse et al. 2022]


Pyralidae
Galleria
Galleria mellonella [Brown et al. 2012]
Araneae
(Spiders)
Theridiidae
Cryptachaea [Howse 2021]
Table 4-1: Prey species in the Netherlands

Prey species outside the Netherlands:

Diptera
(Flies)
Tachinidae
Trigonospila [Howse 2021]
Hemiptera [Howse et al. 2022]
Auchenorrhyncha (Cicadae) [Howse et al. 2022]
Kikihia [Howse 2021]
Kikihia muta [Howse et al. 2022]
Lepidoptera
(Butterflies)
Butterflies
Hesperiidae
Epargyreus
Epargyreus clarus [Weiss et al. 2004]


Lycaenidae
Zizina [Howse 2021]
Zizina labradus [McGruddy 2021]


Nymphalidae
Danaus
Danaus plexippus [Rayor et al. 2007],[Howse et al. 2022],[Howse 2021],[McGruddy 2021]


Moths
Erebidae
Egone [Howse 2021]

Nyctemera [Howse 2021]


Geometridae
Declana [Howse 2021]

Phrissogonus [Howse 2021]


Noctuidae
Ctenoplusia [Howse 2021]

Ectopatria [Howse 2021]


Pyralidae
Leptodus [Howse 2021als Vincia]


Saturniidae
Gamelia [Howse 2021]

Hemileuca
Hemileuca lucina [Stamp & Bowers 1988]

Opodiphthera [Howse 2021]


Tortricidae
Holocola [Howse 2021]

Merophyas [Howse 2021]
Mantodea
(Mantids)
Mantidae
Orthodera [Howse 2021]
Table 4-2: Prey species outside the Netherlands

5. PARASITIC RELATIONS

The following species and groups occurring in the Netherlands [Soortenregister] are mentioned in literature:

Chalcidoidae
(Chalcid wasps)
Pteromalidae

Dibrachys
Dibrachys cavus [Miller et al. 2013],[Howse 2021]

Diptera
(Flies)
Sarcophagidae

Sarcophaga [Miller et al. 2013]
XenidaeXenos
Xenos vesparum [Hughes et al. 2004],[Smit & Smit 2014]
Table 5-1: Parasitic species in the Netherlands

Parasitic species outside the Netherlands:

Lepidoptera
(Butterflies)
Crambidae

Chalcoela
Chalcoela iphitalis [Miller et al. 2013]
Vespidae
(Vespid wasps)
Polistes
Polistes sulcifer [Cervo_2006]
Polistes semenowi [Cervo_2006]
Polistes atrimandibularis [Smit & Smit 2014],[Cervo_2006]
Table 5-2: Parasitic species outside the Netherlands

6. IDENTIFICATION

Length males: 10 – 17 mm
Length females: 10 – 17 mm

Genus

The genus Polistes can be identified using the following characters:

1.  Antenna: elongated, not club-shaped [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), antenna with elongated flag

2. Forewing: with three submarginal cells [Mauss et al. 2004

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), forewing with three submarginal cells

3. Legs: middle shins (tibia) with two thorns [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), middle tibia with two thorns

4. Legs: tarsal claws without teeth [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), tarsus claws without teeth

5. Mandibles: short and wide, without carinae on the outside [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), jaws short and wide, without carinae

6. Abdomen: cone-shaped [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), abdomen cone-shaped

7. Abdomen: frontally gradually narrowed towards the petiole [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), abdomen frontally gradually narrowed towards petiolus
European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), abdomen frontally gradually narrowed towards petiolus


specimen caught for photo identification on 29-viii-2022

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), imago
European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), imago
European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), imago
European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), imago

1. Antenna: with 12 segments [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), antenna with twelve segments

2. Abdomen: with 6 segments [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), abdomen with six segments

3. Head: eyes dark coloured [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), eyes dark

4. Head: lower halve face underneath antennae yellow and black coloured [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), lower half face below antennae with yellow and black markings

5. Abdomen: with stinger [Mauss et al. 2004

HEAD

1. Mandibles: outside without recesses [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), jaws short and wide, without recesses

2. Clypeus: base middle lobe without depression, in side view weakly convex [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), base clypeus middle lobe without depression, in sideview progressing weakly convex

3. Clypeus: middle lobe protruding beyond side corners [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), clypeus middle lobe protruding beyond the side corners

4. Clypeus: completely yellow or with extensive black colouring (here completely yellow) [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), clypeus completely yellow or with extensive black spot

5. Antenna: from the third member completely orange [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), antenna from the third member completely orange

THORAX

no characters

ABDOMEN

1. Sternite 6 typically predominantly yellow [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♀︎ (Polistes dominula), sternite 6 typically predominantly yellow




1. Antenna with 13 segments [Mauss et al. 2004]

2. Abdomen with 7 segments [Mauss et al. 2004]

3. Head: eyes coloured green [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♂︎ (Polistes dominula), eyes green

4. Head: lower halve face underneath antennae completely yellow [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♂︎ (Polistes dominula), lower half face below antennae completely yellow

5. Antenna: apical antennal members spirally rolled [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♂︎ (Polistes dominula), apical antennal members rolled spirally

KOP

1. Mandibles: outside without recesses [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♂︎ (Polistes dominula), outer side mandibles without recesses

2. Mandibles: yellow coloured [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♂︎ (Polistes dominula), mandibles yellow

2. Clypeus: base middle lobe without depression, in side view weakly convex [Mauss et al. 2004]

3. Clypeus: middle lobe protruding beyond side corners [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♂︎ (Polistes dominula), clypeus middle lobe protruding beyond the side corners

4. Antenna: from the third member completely orange [Mauss et al. 2004]

European paper wasp ♂︎ (Polistes dominula), antenna from the third member completely orange

THORAX

no characters

ABDOMEN

no characters



Literature

Amolin & Ogol 2019 Amolin, A. V., & Ogol, I. N., 2019. Trophic relations of wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) with flowering plants (Magnoliophyta) in Donbass. Euroasian Èntomol. J, 18, 365-376.

Bakar et al. 2016 Bakar, N. A. A., Baracchi, D., & Turillazzi, S., 2016. Reuse of old nests by the European paper wasp Polistes dominula (Hymenoptera Vespidae). Redia, 98(1), 21-24.

Brown et al. 2012 Brown, R., Payne, A., Graham, K. K., & Starks, P. T., 2012. Prey capture and caste-specific payload capacities in the European paper wasp Polistes dominulus. Insectes sociaux, 59, 519-525.

Cervo_2006 Cervo, R., 2006. Polistes wasps and their social parasites: an overview. In Annales Zoologici Fennici (pp. 531-549). Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board.

Dapporto et al. 2006 Dapporto, L., Palagi, E., Cini, A., & Turillazzi, S., 2006. Prehibernating aggregations of Polistes dominulus: an occasion to study early dominance assessment in social insects. Naturwissenschaften, 93, 321-324.

Dvořák & Castro 2007 Dvořák, L., & Castro, L., 2007. New and noteworthy records of vespid wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) from the Palaearctic region. Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 47, 229-236.

Howse 2021 Howse, M., 2021. Ecological impact and spread of an invasive paper wasp in New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) (Doctoral dissertation, Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington).

Howse et al. 2022 Howse, M. W., McGruddy, R. A., Felden, A., Baty, J. W., Haywood, J., & Lester, P. J., 2022. The native and exotic prey community of two invasive paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in New Zealand as determined by DNA barcoding. Biological Invasions, 24(6), 1797-1808.

Hughes et al. 2004 Hughes, David & Kathirithamby, Jeyaraney & Turillazzi, Stefano & Beani, Laura. (2004). Social wasps desert the colony and aggregate outside if parasitized: parasite manipulation?. Behavioral Ecology. 15. 1037-1043.

Krischan 2023 Krischan, O. (2023). Franse veldwesp Polistes dominula aggregaties in nestblokken bijenhote. HymenoVaria, 27, 23-26.

Łączyński 2020 Łączyński, P., 2020. Multiple Use of an Old Nest by the European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Central Poland. Sociobiology, 67(3), 469-472.

Lucas-Barbosa et al. 2014 Lucas-Barbosa, D., Poelman, E. H., Aartsma, Y., Snoeren, T. A., van Loon, J. J., & Dicke, M., 2014. Caught between parasitoids and predators–survival of a specialist herbivore on leaves and flowers of mustard plants. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 40, 621-631.

Mauss et al. 2004 Mauss, V., Treiber, R., Schmid-Egger, C., 2004. Bestimmungsschlüssel für die Faltenwespen (Hymenoptera: Masarinae, Polistinae, Vespidae) der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. DJN (Deutscher Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtung).

McGruddy 2021 McGruddy, R., 2021. The nesting ecology, habitat preference, abundance and impacts of Polistes dominula in New Zealand (Doctoral dissertation, Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington).

Miller et al. 2013 Miller, G. L., Donnelly, C. R., & Gamboa, G. J., 2013. A ten-year comparative study of the population dynamics and parasitoidism in the native paper wasp Polistes fuscatus and the invasive P. dominulus. Insectes sociaux, 60, 49-56.

Peeters et al. 2004 Peeters, T.M.J., C. van Achterberg, W.R.B. Heitmans, W.F. Klein, V. Lefeber, A.J. van Loon, A.A. Mabelis, H. Nieuwen-huijsen, M. Reemer, J. de Rond, J. Smit, H.H.W. Velthuis, 2004. De wespen en mieren van Nederland (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). – Nederlandse Fauna 6. Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden, knnv Uitgeverij, Utrecht & European Invertebrate Survey – Nederland, Leiden.

Rayor et al. 2007 Rayor, L. S., Mooney, L. J., & Renwick, J. A., 2007. Predatory behavior of Polistes dominulus wasps in response to cardenolides and glucosinolates in Pieris napi caterpillars. Journal of chemical ecology, 33, 1177-1185.

Ruchin & Antropov 2019 Ruchin, A. & Antropov, A., 2019. Wasp fauna (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Dryinidae, Tiphiidae, Mutillidae, Scoliidae, Pompilidae, Vespidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae & Trigonalyidae) of Mordovia State Nature Reserve and its surroundings in Russia. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11. 13195-13250. 10.11609/jott.4216.11.2.13195-13250.

Schenk & Bacher 2002 Schenk, D. & Bacher, S., 2002. Functional response of a generalist insect predator to one of its prey species in the field. Journal of Animal Ecology, 71.3: 524-531.

Schmid-Egger 2004 Schmid-Egger, C., 2004. Bestimmungsschlüssel für die deutschen Arten der solitären Faltenwespen (Hymenoptera: Eumeninae). S. 54-102. ohne Gesamttitel]. Hamburg: Deutscher Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtung (DJN).

Smit & Smit 2014 Smit, J., & Smit, J. T., 2014. A social parasitic Polistes wasp parasitized by a twisted-wing insect (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Strepsiptera: Xenidae). entomologische berichten, 74(3), 121-123.

Soortenregister Nederlands Soortenregister

Spataro et al. 2012 Spataro, T., Bacher, S., Bersier, L. F., & Arditi, R., 2012. Ratio‐dependent predation in a field experiment with wasps. Ecosphere, 3(12), 1-12.

Stamp & Bowers 1988 Stamp, N. E., & Bowers, M. D., 1988. Direct and indirect effects of predatory wasps (Polistes sp.: Vespidae) on gregarious caterpillars (Hemileuca lucina: Saturniidae). Oecologia, 75, 619-624.

Waarneming.nl Waarneming.nl

Weiss et al. 2004 Weiss, M. R., Wilson, E. E., & Castellanos, I., 2004. Predatory wasps learn to overcome the shelter defences of their larval prey. Animal Behaviour, 68(1), 45-54.

Citation

Krischan, O.R., 2025. Polistes dominula. Kerfdier, www.kerfdier.nl. Accessed on [date month year].