Subject: Weird wasps?
Location: Southwest Saskatchewan , canada
October 9, 2015 1:31 pm
I had 5 of these turn up betweeny screen and window. I live in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is early October. The window is a full on southern exposure. I just want to know if these are wasps? Do they sting? Where do they come from?
Signature: Steph stuart
Sear Steph,
This is a Paper Wasp in the genus Polistes and it came from another mated Paper Wasp that laid eggs. Paper Wasps are a social species that constructs a nest from chewed wood and bark and we suspect the nest may be in the eaves near the window. Paper Wasps may sting to defend the nest, but they are not typically an aggressive genus. Based on this BugGuide image, we believe your Paper Wasp is Polistes aurifer.
Thanks a lot. I’m going to have a look and see if I can find the nest. If it is under the 2nd storey eaves and they aren’t aggressive I may just leave them alone.