Polistes major 

Large Paper Wasp
The Horse's Wasp

Florida native

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This very large paper wasp can be found in the Florida peninsula. It has also been reported in Georgia and Arizona. The range includes Central America and the Caribbean, particularly Hispaniola Island and Puerto Rico. It has recently invaded Spain.
Yellow and reddish-brown in color, this paper wasp is 17-22mm (2/3 - 7/8 in.) long.
In the Dominican Republic, this wasp is called "Avispa de caballo", the horse's wasp.

Polistes major is a member of the Vespidae - Yellowjackets, Hornets and some Wasps family.

Other species of the Polistes genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
  Polistes dorsalis var. dorsalis - LESSER PAPER WASP

For more information on this species, visit the following link:
Bugguide.net info page for this species

Date record last modified: Oct 25, 2021