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Polistes dominula Christ, 1791
European Paper Wasp
Family: Vespidae
Introduction to the Hymenoptera of British Columbia

Photograph

© Werner Eigelsreiter     (Photo ID #1313)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Polistes dominula in British Columbia in British Columbia

Introduction


The European Paper Wasp is a yellow and black wasp species that originates in Europe and was first reported in BC in 2003 (RBCM 2012).

The Royal BC Museum provides the following information for this species: "The European Paper Wasp was first reported in North America in 1978 near Boston, Massachusetts and from there has spread across most of the continent. It first appeared on Vancouver Island in 2003, possibly crossing the continent from the east or on a boat from Asia. From Vancouver Island, or other sources of introduction, the wasp has spread throughout southern British Columbia." (RBCM 2012)

Read more about this species.

Identification and Subspecies Information

Access identification keys for the Vespidae

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
ExoticSNAExoticNot Listed



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