7 replies to this topic

[AUGUAG]

Greetings everyone! I've been a long time lurker over here at Formiculture, but this is my first time ever posting, so I hope everything goes through properly. I am much more acquainted with ants than wasps, but when I saw this sweet girl (boy?) climbing on the side of a building here in Roanoke, Virginia I knew I had to bring her/him over here for an I.D. Based on an earlier post from KitsAntsVa from November, s/he seems to be some species of Polistes, but my real question is whether this is a queen, worker, or male. From my understanding, males and workers are pretty rare in the winter, but we had our warmest day today than we've had all year (we had a high of 72, just a week after getting snow) so I thought I would ask before I took her/him home (and possibly away from his/her colony). Apologies for the terrible quality, s/he would not sit still for very long. If you need anything else I'd be happy to provide it if I can! Thanks in advance for the help!

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[ANTdrew]

Welcome, fellow Virginian. I’m surprised you guys got that much warmer than we did today in Alexandria. That’s definitely Polistes.

[Manitobant]

Polistes dorsalis queen. You should keep her.

[TechAnt]

Welcome to the forum! I also agree with ANTdrew and Manitobant, though I am not too well knowledged on Wasps.

Edited by TechAnt, February 24 2021 - 2:34 PM.

[AUGUAG]

Man, you guys never fail to absolutely rock my socks when it comes to identification.
 

Welcome, fellow Virginian. I’m surprised you guys got that much warmer than we did today in Alexandria. That’s definitely Polistes.

I'm honestly still in shock over how hot it was. It felt like a warm summer day, yet the grass was dormant and the trees were leafless. Absolutely mind boggling.

[Manitobant]

It will likely be a while before she initiates a nest, as its still winter. Let her hibernate like you hibernate ants until spring and then set her up like this video:

[PurdueEntomology]

It will likely be a while before she initiates a nest, as its still winter. Let her hibernate like you hibernate ants until spring and then set her up like this video:

Has this type of housing actually been tried successfully with a new queen that actually started a nest?  Not one collected with a new nest as in the end of the video.

[Manitobant]

It will likely be a while before she initiates a nest, as its still winter. Let her hibernate like you hibernate ants until spring and then set her up like this video:

Has this type of housing actually been tried successfully with a new queen that actually started a nest?  Not one collected with a new nest as in the end of the video.

yes, he has done it with a lone queen in other videos.