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Polistes
''Polistes'' is a cosmopolitan genus of paper wasps and the only genus in the tribe Polistini. Vernacular names for the genus include umbrella wasps, coined by Walter Ebeling in 1975 to distinguish it from other types of paper wasp, in reference to the form of their nests, and umbrella paper wasps. ''Polistes'' is the single largest genus within the family Vespidae, with over 200 recognized species. 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. Description As part of subfamily Polistinae, ''Polistes'' wasps are covered in short and inconspicuous hair, have a clypeus with a pointed apex, have a gena that is wide throughout, tergum 1 of the metasoma is almost straig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistes Metricus P1660156a (cropped)
''Polistes'' is a cosmopolitan genus of paper wasps and the only genus in the tribe Polistini. Vernacular names for the genus include umbrella wasps, coined by Walter Ebeling in 1975 to distinguish it from other types of paper wasp, in reference to the form of their nests, and umbrella paper wasps. ''Polistes'' is the single largest genus within the family Vespidae, with over 200 recognized species. 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. Description As part of subfamily Polistinae, ''Polistes'' wasps are covered in short and inconspicuous hair, have a clypeus with a pointed apex, have a gena that is wide throughout, tergum 1 of the metasoma is almost straight ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistes Dominula
The European paper wasp (''Polistes dominula'') is one of the most common and well-known species of social wasps in the genus ''Polistes''. Its diet is more diverse than those of most ''Polistes'' species—many genera of insects versus mainly caterpillars in other ''Polistes''—giving it superior survivability compared to other wasp species during a shortage of resources. The dominant females are the principal egg layers, while the subordinate females ("auxiliaries") or workers primarily forage and do not lay eggs. This hierarchy is not permanent, though; when the queen is removed from the nest, the second-most dominant female takes over the role of the previous queen. Dominance in females is determined by the severity of the scatteredness in the coloration of the Clypeus (arthropod anatomy), clypeus (face), whereas dominance in males is shown by the variation of spots of their abdomens. ''P. dominula'' is common and cosmopolitan due to their exceptional survival features such a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistes Metricus
''Polistes metricus'' (metric paper wasp or metricus paper wasp) is a wasp native to North America. In the United States, it ranges throughout the southern Midwest, the South, and as far northeast as New York, but has recently been spotted in southwest Ontario. A single female specimen has also been reported from Dryden, Maine. ''P. metricus'' is dark colored, with yellow tarsi and black tibia. Nests of'' P. metricus'' can be found attached to the sides of buildings, trees, and shrubbery. Like other ''Polistes ''species, ''P. metricus'' has evolved eusociality and demonstrates behaviors including nestmate discrimination and local mate competition. Like other hymenopterans, ''P. metricus'' has a haplodiploid genetic system. Nests of ''P. metricus'' have distinct characteristics like the ability to share nests with other ''Polistes'' species and reuse nests for multiple seasons. Another distinction is that ''P. metricus'' foragers take off from their nests in different direction ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistes Humilis
''Polistes humilis'', known as the Australian paper wasp, is a species of wasp in the family Vespidae that is found throughout Australia and which has been introduced to northern New Zealand. These paper wasps can be identified by their long thin legs and banded yellow and black coloring. They have been known to re-utilize old nests. While the species does not exhibit morphological class differences, there are distinct behavioral differences between queens and workers. In addition, the species is eusocial and benefits from relatedness between individuals. They are known for delivering a painful sting, especially when their nest is disturbed, a behavior that has been developed as a nest defense mechanism. While wasps are often viewed negatively, they play an important pollination role for many plants. Taxonomy and phylogeny ''Polistes humilis'' is in the genus ''Polistes'', which consists of 150 species that can be found in all regions except the world's coldest climates. ''Poliste ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistes Gallicus
''Polistes gallicus'' is a species of paper wasp found in various parts of Europe, excluding England, Denmark, and Scandinavia, from warmer climates to cooler regions north of the Alps. Nests of these social insects are created in these various conditions. The ''Polistes'' species use an oral secretion to construct their nests, which consist of a combination of saliva and chewed plant fibers. This structural mixture physically protects the nest from various harsh elements and from weathering over time. Description and identification ''P. gallicus'', like other members of the subgenus ''Polistes (Polistes)'', has recognizable, bright yellow and black markings. They have smaller bodies than many of its allies that overlap in range, and their bodies are largely hairless. The species may be separated from allies through the following traits. Females are identified by having 12 antennal segments and 6 abdominal segments. The antennae are orange and paler on the ventral surface than i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistes Versicolor
''Polistes versicolor'', also known as the variegated paper wasp or yellow paper wasp, is a subtropical social wasp within ''Polistes'', the most common genus of paper wasp. It is the most widely distributed of South American wasp species and is particularly common in the Southeastern Brazilian states.Zara, Fernando, and Jose Balestieri. "Behavioural Catalogue of ''Polistes versicolor'' Olivier (Vespidae: Polistinae) Post-emergent Colonies." ''Naturalia'' 25 (2000): 301-19. Print. This social wasp is commonly referred to as the yellow paper wasp due to the distinct yellow bands found on its thorax and abdomen.Gobbi, Nivar, Fernando B. Noll, and Marcelo A. H. Penna. "‘Winter’ Aggregations, Colony Cycle, and Seasonal Phenotypic Change in the Paper Wasp ''Polistes versicolor'' in Subtropical Brazil." ''Naturwissenschaften'' 93.10 (2006): 487-94. Web. The ''P. versicolor'' nest, made of chewed vegetable fiber, is typically a single, uncovered comb attached to the substrate by a si ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistes Semenowi
''Polistes semenowi'' is a species of paper wasp in the genus ''Polistes ''that is found in southeastern and southern central Europe, as well as central Asia, and was until 2017 erroneously known by the name ''Polistes sulcifer'', while a different species was incorrectly believed to represent ''P. semenowi'' (this species has been named '' Polistes austroccidentalis'' since 2017). It is one of only four known ''Polistes'' obligate social parasites, sometimes referred to as " cuckoo paper wasps", and its host is the congeneric species ''Polistes dominula''. As an obligate social parasite, this species has lost the ability to build nests, and relies on the host workers to raise its brood. ''P. semenowi'' females use brute force, followed by chemical mimicry in order to successfully usurp a host nest and take over as the queen. Taxonomy and phylogeny ''Polistes'' is the only genus in the tribe Polistini of the subfamily Polistinae. Species in this subfamily are one of several l ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polistinae
The Polistinae is a subfamily of eusocial wasps belonging to the family Vespidae. They are closely related to the wasps (“yellowjackets” as they are called in North America) and true hornets of the subfamily Vespinae, containing four tribes. With about 1,100 species total, it is the second-most diverse subfamily within the Vespidae, and while most species are tropical or subtropical, they include some of the most frequently encountered large wasps in temperate regions. The English common name for Polistinae is paper wasp. Many polistines, such as '' Polistes fuscatus,'' '' Polistes annularis'', and '' Polistes exclamans'', make their nests out of paper. Despite being called paper wasps, other wasps (including the wasps in the subfamily Vespinae) also build nests out of paper. Additionally, some epiponine wasps (such as '' Polybia emaciata'') build their nests out of mud despite being Polistinae. '' Polistes annularis'' suspends its paper nests from cliff overhangs via a pe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vespidae
The Vespidae are a large (nearly 5000 species), diverse, cosmopolitan family of wasps, including nearly all the known eusocial wasps (such as '' Polistes fuscatus'', '' Vespa orientalis'', and ''Vespula germanica'') and many solitary wasps. Each social wasp colony includes a queen and a number of female workers with varying degrees of sterility relative to the queen. In temperate social species, colonies usually last only one year, dying at the onset of winter. New queens and males (drones) are produced towards the end of the summer, and after mating, the queens hibernate over winter in cracks or other sheltered locations. The nests of most species are constructed out of mud, but polistines and vespines use plant fibers, chewed to form a sort of paper (also true of some stenogastrines). Many species are pollen vectors contributing to the pollination of several plants, being potential or even effective pollinators, while others are notable predators of pest insect species, and a f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yellowjacket
Yellowjacket or yellowjacket is the common name in North America for predatory social wasps of the genus, genera ''Vespula'' and ''Dolichovespula''. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries. Most of these are black and yellow like the eastern yellowjacket (''Vespula maculifrons'') and the Dolichovespula arenaria, aerial yellowjacket (''Dolichovespula arenaria''); some are black and white like the Dolichovespula maculata, bald-faced hornet (''Dolichovespula maculata''). Some have an abdomen with a red background color instead of black. They can be identified by their distinctive markings, their occurrence only in colonies, and a characteristic, rapid, side-to-side flight pattern prior to landing. All females are capable of stinger, stinging. Yellowjackets are important predators of pest insects. Identification Yellowjackets may be confused with other wasps, such as hornets and paper wasps such as ''Polistes dominula''. A typical y ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cryoprotectant
A cryoprotectant is a substance used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage (i.e. that due to ice formation). Arctic and Antarctic insects, fish and amphibians create cryoprotectants ( antifreeze compounds and antifreeze proteins) in their bodies to minimize freezing damage during cold winter periods. Cryoprotectants are also used to preserve living materials in the study of biology and to preserve food products. For years, glycerol has been used in cryobiology as a cryoprotectant for blood cells and bull sperm, allowing storage in liquid nitrogen at temperatures around −196 °C. However, glycerol cannot be used to protect whole organs from damage. Instead, many biotechnology companies are researching the development of other cryoprotectants more suitable for such uses. A successful discovery may eventually make possible the bulk cryogenic storage (or "banking") of transplantable human and xenobiotic organs. A substantial step in that direction has already occu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gyne
The gyne (, from Greek γυνή, "woman") is the primary reproductive female caste of social insects (especially ants, wasps, and bees of order Hymenoptera, as well as termites). Gynes are those destined to become queens, whereas female workers are typically barren and cannot become queens. Having a queen is what makes a "queenright" hive, nest, or colony of eusocial insects. A colony with multiple queens is said to be a polygyne form, whereas one with only one is a monogyne form. The ancient Greek origin of ''gyne'' meant a woman who had given birth to at least one child. In species lacking morphological castes (i.e., where "workers" may not be sterile), the term "gyne" is usually reserved for those females whose entire life is spent as a reproductive or potential reproductive, as opposed to those who start life as a worker and subsequently attain reproductive status (often called a "replacement queen" or a "laying worker"). These can be seen in certain species of stingless be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
