Paper Wasp (Polistes species)

The *Paper Wasp (Polistes* species)** is a widespread insect across the United States. All Polistes wasps are predatory and they may consume large numbers of insect pests so they should be considered beneficial. They can be aggressive if their nest is threatened, but for the most part they will leave you alone of you leave them alone. There are many species in this genus and most cannot be identified easily from photos, so the ones on this page have just been labeled as Paper Wasp species. The first two shots on this page show a paper wasp resting on water while it drinks. It's light weight and waxy body allow it to float on water in this manner. These two shots were taken in May, 2006, near McCook, Hidalgo Co., Texas, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.

The Paper Wasp resting on a leaf was taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2009, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The Paper Wasps on a nest on the right (probably Polistes exclamans) were in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2009.
The wasp on the right was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in September, 2010. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500 lens.
The Paper Wasp on a nest on the right was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in November, 2010. The same photo gear as the previous shot was used.