Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00669
Golden Paper Wasp
Polistes aurifer
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About Golden Paper Wasp
Golden Paper Wasp (Polistes aurifer) is a member of Eumenidae in the order Hymenoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Golden Paper Wasp (Polistes aurifer) is documented from Kauaʻi. Vespid wasps include social paper wasps and solitary potter wasps. Adults use nectar and other liquids; larvae are provisioned with animal prey in many lineages. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record nest type, prey, flower use, caste/sex, abundance and interactions with native insects. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Golden Paper Wasp (Polistes aurifer) is an introduced social paper wasp common on Kauaʻi. Open paper nests, adults, and larvae/pupae in cells are useful identification contexts.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Hawaii Biological Survey reported the species fairly common in residential areas around Kauaʻi; modern review confirms Polistes aurifer was introduced to Hawaiʻi.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; larva; pupa; adult.
Habitat
Vegetation, structures, cavities, soil or constructed nests depending on species.
Food and ecological role
Adults often use nectar; larvae are provisioned with insects or other arthropods in predatory species.
Reproduction
Females construct or occupy nests and provision developing larvae; social species maintain colonies.
Movement
Adults are strong fliers.
Ecosystem role
Predator and flower visitor/pollinator.
Threats and impacts
Introduced social wasps can exert substantial predation pressure on native arthropods; effects vary by species.
Monitoring
Record nest type, prey, flower use, caste/sex, abundance and interactions with native insects.
Classification note
The shared taxonomy follows the cached GBIF classification. Alternative placements reported in the source package are preserved in the record history.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Polistes aurifer
- Common names
- Golden Paper Wasp
- Family
- Eumenidae
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Golden Paper Wasp (Polistes aurifer) is a member of Eumenidae in the order Hymenoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.