Polistes major Pal. de Beauv. 1818

Polistes major is a Neotropical species of paper wasp found from South America north into the southern United States.^[1] This species is known as avispa de caballo (Spanish: "horse's wasp") in the Dominican Republic.

Subspecies

There are five described subspecies:^[1]

• Polistes major bonaccensis Bequaert, 1937
• Polistes major castaneicolor Bequaert, 1936
• Polistes major colombianus Bequaert, 1940
• Polistes major major Palisot de Beauvois, 1818
• Polistes major weyrauchi Bequaert, 1940

Description

Polistes major is a larger species compared to allies within its genus, reaching 17 to 22 mm (0.67 to 0.87 in) in length, with a wingspan of up to 45 mm (1.8 in).^[2] It is second in size only to P. carnifex. The coloration varies by subspecies, though the most widespread subspecies, P. m. major, has a reddish-brown ground color with broad yellow stripes. In contrast, the subspecies P. m. castaneicolor and P. m. weyrauchi are entirely reddish with no yellow markings.^[3]

References