Polistes erythrocephalus
| Polistes erythrocephalus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Subfamily: | Polistinae |
| Tribe: | Polistini |
| Genus: | Polistes |
| Species: | P. erythrocephalus |
| Binomial name | |
|
Polistes erythrocephalus (Latreille, 1813) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Polistes canadensis erythrocephalus |
|
Polistes canadensis erythrocephalus
Polistes erythrocephalus is a species of paper wasp in the subfamily Polistinae of family Vespidae found in Central and South America. P. erythrocephalus is a eusocial wasp, meaning that it possesses both reproductive and non-reproductive castes. The cooperation between the two castes to raise young demonstrates the altruistic nature of these wasps.P. erythrocephalus exhibits a four-stage colony cycle, as do many other Polistes wasps. This species generally feeds on larvae, occasionally their own, and is preyed upon by species such as army ants.
Polistes scholars such as K. Yoshikawa, Joseph Charles Bequaert, and Mary Jane West-Eberhard, originally considered Polistes erythrocephalus to be a sub-species of Polistes canadensis. For this reason, much of the research done on P. erythrocephalus has been classified under P. canadensis. Additionally, it was left out of Yoshikawa's list of Polistes species around the world in 1963. More recently however P. erythrocephalus has been recognized as a separate species by Owain Richards though it is sometimes still referred to as Polistes canadensis erythrocephalus. Its closest relatives are Polistes canadensis, Polistes annularis, and Polistes infuscatus.
Polistes erythrocephalus is about 21 millimetres (0.83 in) in length and is characterized by its black thorax and abdomen. P. erythrocephalus bodies are typically narrower than those of its closest relatives such as Polistes annularis. The thorax is unmarked and the abdomen is slightly shinier than the rest of the body. This black body color contrasts with the color of its head which is a dull ferruginous (rust) color. On top of the head are ferruginous colored antenna which grow paler at the tips. P. erythrocephalus wings are dark bluish in color and have a noticeable glossy sheen. P. erythrocephalus legs are black with yellowish hues at the tarsi and knee joints.
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