Northern paper wasp identification (Polistes fuscatus)


Insect identifier · Ants, bees, and wasps

How to identify a Northern paper wasp

Polistes fuscatus
· Also called paper wasp, umbrella wasp, paper wasp nest identification

Northern paper wasp identification photo

Long dangling legs and an open umbrella comb under eaves — paper wasp, not a yellowjacket picnic wasp.

Long dangling legs and an open paper comb under the eave: paper wasp. They are not the soda-stealing picnic wasp. One sting if you pinch a wasp on the doorframe. Yellowjackets use a hole in the lawn or a wall void. Nest type is the ID. Leave an occupied comb to a professional if it is over a door.

What does a northern paper wasp look like?

Slender, long legs in flight, open comb with no paper envelope. Variable brown and yellow.

Northern paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus) is Slender, 15–21 mm, long legs. Colors people notice: brown, black, yellow. Field marks: Long dangling legs in flight; Open comb, no paper envelope; Less aggressive than yellowjackets away from the nest; Variable brown and yellow markings. It is found both. If those marks are missing, open Eastern yellowjacket, Bald-faced hornet before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a northern paper wasp looks like and northern paper wasp identification.

Identification marks

  • Long dangling legs in flight
  • Open comb, no paper envelope
  • Less aggressive than yellowjackets away from the nest
  • Variable brown and yellow markings

Size: Slender, 15–21 mm, long legs
Colors: brown, black, yellow
Where: both

What a typical northern paper wasp bite looks like

Typical northern paper wasp bite or sting
A typical pattern. Reactions vary. This is a guide photo, not a diagnosis.

Painful sting, local swelling, later itch. Usually one sting. Avoid DIY spraying while occupied.

People searching “northern paper wasp bite identification” want the pattern, not a single anonymous bump. Painful sting, local swelling, later itch. Usually one sting. Immediate steps on this page: Ice, wash, soothe later itch; ER for allergy; Avoid the nest; wait until frost or hire help to remove. This species does bite or sting people. Fever, spreading redness, trouble breathing, or a child with many stings is professional care.

If you were bitten

  1. Ice, wash, soothe later itch
  2. ER for allergy
  3. Avoid the nest; wait until frost or hire help to remove

Northern paper wasp vs Eastern yellowjacket

Open comb, long legs, eaves. Less interested in your soda than yellowjackets. One sting if you pinch one on a doorframe.

Range and season

Eastern North America, more stings mid–late summer.

Eastern porches and sheds, occupied mid through late summer.

Eastern North America. Open umbrella nests under eaves.

Spring founders; stings more likely mid–late summer

Common questions

Paper wasp vs yellowjacket?

Paper wasps are longer-legged with an open comb nest. Yellowjackets are stockier with enclosed nests.

Should I spray the nest?

Not while occupied if you can avoid it. Stings happen during DIY removal.

Do they want my picnic?

Less than yellowjackets, but they will defend the porch nest.

Paper wasp vs yellowjacket nest?

Paper wasp: open cells, no envelope, under eaves. Yellowjacket: hidden underground or in a wall, workers at a small hole.

Are paper wasps aggressive?

Less picnic-aggressive than yellowjackets. They defend the comb if you bump it.

Related identification pages