AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN NEInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Not Evaluated — not yet assessed against the IUCN Red List criteria.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Polistes instabilis
Paper Wasp
Saussure, 1853
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A slender eusocial wasp with a narrow petiolate abdomen, distinctly patterned with dark brown, reddish-brown, and bright yellow bands. It features long smoky wings and a prominent, highly functional venomous stinger used for defense.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Arthropoda
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Insecta
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Hymenoptera
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Vespidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Polistes
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Saussure, 1853
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Unknown
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Commonly ranges throughout humid and dry neo-tropical open areas, forest edges, shrublands, and agricultural plantations. It frequently adapts to suburban human environments, nesting under roofs, eaves, and window ledges.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Diurnal predators. Foundresses share nest construction workloads. Adult wasps consume sweet carbohydrates like plant nectar and aphid honeydew, but actively hunt live lepidopteran larvae (caterpillars) to feed their growing carnivorous larvae inside the cells.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Primitively eusocial insects. Colonies lack rigid structural morphological caste definitions; dominancy hierarchies among adult females are settled through active physical behavioral aggression to determine the primary egg-layer.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Diurnal insect predator / nectarivore / generalist biological control agent.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Act as vital biological control agents by hunting herbivorous caterpillars and soft-bodied insects. They are targeted and consumed by insectivorous birds, mantids, spiders, and specialized parasitic wasps.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Nests are initiated in spring by one or more fertile overwintered gynes. The dominant queen asserts exclusive reproduction rights while subordinate foundresses work as foragers to raise the initial summer brood generations.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
1.5 - 2.2 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.05 g - 0.11 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.15 - 100
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
10 - 15 Days
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
12 - 15
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males1 - 3 Months
Females2 - 12 Months
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males possess distinctly curved antennal tips, a completely flat or slightly concave light yellow facial clypeus, and lack a functional anatomy stinger structure.
Females Multi-lang
Females feature relatively straight antennae, a pointed convex clypeus, and carry a potent functional venomous ovipositor modified into a structural defensive stinger.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Possess strong mandibles capable of scraping and masticating weathered plant wood fibers, mixing them with saliva to synthesize a durable, water-resistant paper pulp material for nests.
The specialized narrow nest attachment pedicel is treated with chemical secretions from abdominal glands that function as an effective chemical repellent against predatory ants.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Direct intentional extermination by humans in suburban areas due to their aggressive territorial nature and proximity to houses where their stings present risk.
Intense agricultural pesticide spray programs that lower localized insect caterpillar numbers, depleting their essential carnivorous nutritional food supplies.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Unlike hornets, they construct open umbrella-shaped nests without an outer protective envelope, meaning all developing brood cells are visible from the outside.