|
Wasps of the cosmopolitan genus ''Polistes'' (the only genus in the tribe Polistini) are the most familiar of the polistine wasps, and are the most common type of paper wasp in North America. It is also the single largest genus within the family Vespidae, with over 300 recognized species and subspecies. Their innate preferences for nest-building sites leads them to commonly build nests on human habitation, where they can be very unwelcome; although generally not aggressive, they can be provoked into defending their nests. All species are predatory, and they may consume large numbers of caterpillars, in which respect they are generally considered beneficial. The European paper wasp, ''Polistes dominula'', was introduced into the US about 1981 and has quickly spread throughout most of the country, in most cases replacing native species within a few years. This species is very commonly mistaken for a yellowjacket, as it is black, strongly marked with yellow, and quite different from the native North American species of ''Polistes''. The cuckoo wasp, ''Polistes sulcifer'', is an obligate social parasite, whose only host is ''P. dominula''.〔Ortolani, I. & Cervo, R. (2009). “Coevolution of daily activity timing in a host-parasite system”. ''Biological Journal of the Linnean Society'' 96 (2): 399-405. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01139.x.〕 ''Polistes annularis'', whose species name is Latin for "ringed", is also known for its distinctive red body color. ''Polistes metricus'' adults malaxate their insect prey by chewing them into a pulp, sucking out and ingesting the body fluids, then feed the rest of the morsel to their larvae. The most widely distributed South American wasp species, ''Polistes versicolor'', is particularly common in the southeastern Brazilian states. This social wasp is commonly referred to as the yellow paper wasp due to the distinct yellow bands found on its thorax and abdomen.〔Zara, Fernando, and Jose Balestieri. "Behavioural Catalogue of Polistes versicolor Olivier (Vespidae: Polistinae) Post-emergent Colonies." Naturalia 25 (2000): 301-19. Print.〕 ''Polistes'' wasps can be identified by their characteristic flight; their long legs dangle below their bodies, which are also more slender than a yellowjacket.〔(Pest Animal Control ) Bay of Plenty environment report. Retrieved 7 January 2007〕 == Lifecycle == The general lifecycle of ''Polistes'' can be divided into four phases: #Founding (or pre-emergence) phase #Worker phase #Reproductive phase #Intermediate phase 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Polistes」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|