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Submitted to: Great Lakes Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/8/2011 Publication Date: 8/18/2011 Citation: Hesler, L.S. 2011. First record of Polistes dominula (Christ, 1791) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) from Nebraska, U.S.A. Great Lakes Entomologist. 44:86-89. Interpretive Summary: The European paper wasp (Polistes dominula 1791) has been introduced at least twice into North America, once in the northeastern U.S. and a second time along the Pacific coast. Both eastern and western populations have expanded, and this species has become established in midwestern North America, including Missouri, Minnesota, and South Dakota. On 26 September 2010, about 10 individuals of the European paper wasp were found in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, foraging simultaneously with several individuals of a native paper wasp on flowers of stonecrop and ornamental onion. Several individuals were collected for identification using diagnostic characters. The European paper wasps from Lincoln represent the first specimens of this species collected in Nebraska. The wasp is an additional stinging threat to humans that they may encounter unwantedly. This record serves to alert pest management and medical personnel of its presence in the Lincoln area. Pest management practitioners in Nebraska should be aware of the potential spread of the European paper wasp in Nebraska and act to minimize the number of stinging incidents resulting from encounters between it and humans. Technical Abstract: Polistes dominula (Christ, 1791) is a Palearctic paper wasp that has been introduced at least twice into North America. It was first detected in the northeastern U.S. in the late 1970s and also has been found along the Pacific coast of North America. Both eastern and western populations of P. dominula have expanded, and this species has become established in midwestern North America, including Missouri, Minnesota, and South Dakota. On 26 September 2010, about 10 individuals of P. dominula were found in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, foraging simultaneously with several individuals of a native paper wasp, P. fuscatus (F.), on flowers of stonecrop (Sedum sp.) and ornamental onion (Allium sp.). Several individuals were collected for identification using diagnostic characters. The wasps from Lincoln represent the first specimens of P. dominula collected in Nebraska. Polistes dominula is an additional stinging hymenopteran that humans are likely to encounter unwantedly. This record serves to alert pest management and medical personnel of its presence in the Lincoln area. Pest management practitioners in Nebraska should be aware of the potential spread of P. dominula in Nebraska and act to manage this wasp and minimize the number of stinging incidents resulting from encounters between it and humans. |
