Pest Gallery

Wasps (Paper Wasps): Polistes

Wasps of the genus Polistes build rather simple nests consisting of only one tier or layer of cells. The cells open downward and are not covered. Collectively, this layer of cells is generally called a comb. Nets are usually suspended beneath horizontal surfaces, and commonly hang from eaves of houses and beneath window ledges or porch roofs. Polistes nests are rather small, rarely over one foot in diameter, so there are seldom more than 100-200 workers on the nest at any one time.

Eastern species are typically a dusky brown color, marked with various shades of orange, or blackish with yellow markings. Western species tend to be somewhat more strikingly colored, with the orange or yellow more predominant.

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