About Polistes major Pal.de Beauv., 1818
Polistes major, originally described by Palisot de Beauvois in 1818, is a larger species of Polistes wasp than most of its close relatives in the same genus. Adults reach 17 to 22 mm (0.67 to 0.87 inches) in body length, with a maximum wingspan of 45 mm (1.8 inches). Among all recognized Polistes species, it is the second largest, with only Polistes carnifex growing to a larger size. The body coloration of Polistes major varies across its different subspecies. The most geographically widespread subspecies, Polistes major major, has a reddish-brown base body color marked with broad yellow stripes. Two other subspecies, Polistes major castaneicolor and Polistes major weyrauchi, are entirely reddish and have no yellow markings.
