Whilst birdwatching in
the Talea’a Valley near Abha, in the mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia, I
came across an unfamiliar wasp. I think it may be a Red Paper Wasp but am uncertain as to its
identity. Wasps of the cosmopolitan genus Polistes (the only genus in the tribe
Polistini) are the most familiar of the polistine wasps, and are the most
common type of paper wasp with over 300 recognized species and subspecies.
Their innate preferences for nest-building sites leads them to commonly build
nests on human habitation, where they can be very unwelcome; although generally
not aggressive, they can be provoked into defending their nests. All species
are predatory, and they may consume large numbers of caterpillars, in which
respect they are generally considered beneficial. Any help with the
identification of the wasp would be very welcome.
