Exploring the Jack Spaniard wasp: Habitat, nesting, and social structure.

Understanding the Jack Spaniard (Polistes lanio): The unique wasp of Trinidad and Tobago

The Jack Spaniard (Polistes lanio) is a striking wasp species commonly found in Trinidad and Tobago. Known for its role in natural pest control and pollination, the Jack Spaniard is a member of the Polistes genus, commonly referred to as “paper wasps” due to the distinctive construction of their nests.

Despite their ecological benefits, these wasps are feared by locals due to their painful sting and aggressive defence of their nests. This article delves into the Jack Spaniard’s morphology, habitat, social structure, behaviour, and ecological importance, drawing from information on this species in Trinidad and Tobago.

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The life of the Jack Spaniard wasp: Essential facts and safety tips

Morphological characteristics

The Jack Spaniard is among the largest wasps in the family Vespidae, with distinct black and yellow coloration, which serves as a warning to potential predators. The morphology of male and female Polistes lanio wasps is similar, though minor differences exist.

Males possess antennae and a gaster (the bulbous part of the abdomen) with one more segment than females. Colour variations also occur between sexes; males display a yellowish clypeus (the plate on the front of the head) with fine hairs, while females have a reddish-brown clypeus and darker, more robust mandibles.

Habitat and distribution

As a neotropical species, Polistes lanio thrives in areas with moderate vegetation. In Trinidad and Tobago, they are particularly common in habitats with a balance of open spaces and vegetation, often nesting on man-made structures.

Observations indicate they prefer locations such as building eaves and other structures at Mt Hope General Hospital, the University Field Station, and various sites in St Augustine. Notably, their nests are typically found on concrete or wooden surfaces, and they tend to dominate such sites due to competitive behaviour with other wasp species like Polistes versicolor.

Nesting and colony structure

Jack Spaniard nests are constructed from chewed plant fibers, creating an open, unenclosed structure that resembles an exposed honeycomb. This design provides both a nursery for larvae and a secure site for colony members. Nests are generally small, with most colonies containing fewer than 100 adults, though some can support up to 1,000 individuals.

This wasp species exhibits “primitively eusocial” characteristics. Eusociality in insects typically involves overlapping generations, cooperative brood care, and reproductive castes. In Polistes lanio, each colony is dominated by a single egg-laying queen, which is a hallmark of monogynous social structures. Queens compete with one another early on, but ultimately only one remains fertile, while the others assume worker-like roles. Once workers are born, the queen ceases other tasks and focusses solely on reproduction.

Male behaviour

In Polistes lanio, males are born toward the end of the colony’s cycle, and their behaviors differ significantly from those of females. While females engage in a wide range of activities essential to the colony, males mostly remain immobile on the nest, accounting for 82.8% of their time.

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Males also exhibit behaviours like giving alarm signals, providing chewed prey to larvae, and self-grooming. The short lifespan of most males within the colony (around 10 days) underscores their limited role. However, longer instances of male presence on nests have been documented, sometimes extending to over 200 days.

Feeding and foraging habits

Polistes lanio adults primarily feed on nectar, which makes them valuable pollinators. However, they are also carnivorous, particularly when feeding their young. The wasps capture small insects such as caterpillars and flies, chewing them into a paste to nourish the larvae.

Unlike other wasp species, Jack Spaniards have a restricted foraging range around their nests and do not venture far, which may reflect their reliance on available resources in their immediate surroundings. Additionally, the queen’s foraging activity in P. lanio is low compared to other wasps, with queens of this species foraging only about 0.5% of the time compared to over 10% in other social wasps.

Reproduction and development

Reproductive activity in Polistes lanio often occurs near or on the nest, with copulation lasting between 15 and 80 seconds. Eggs laid in the nest cells are attached with an adhesive secretion at a 45-degree angle. The eggs are notably larger than those of other social wasps.

The larvae undergo several developmental stages, during which they change in appearance and structure, particularly in the mandibles. Mature larvae spin a cocoon to cap their cells and prepare for pupation. The development concludes with the emergence of adults, completing the cycle of this primitive eusocial insect.

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Ecological importance

As natural pest controllers, Jack Spaniards play a vital role in managing insect populations. By preying on agricultural pests, they contribute to protecting crops and native vegetation in Trinidad and Tobago. Their role as pollinators further adds to their ecological significance, as they help sustain the biodiversity of the islands’ flora. However, the presence of Jack Spaniards can sometimes cause concern for humans due to the threat of stings.

Cultural perception and safety tips

In Trinidad and Tobago, the Jack Spaniard holds a complex reputation, both respected for its ecological benefits and feared for its sting. To minimise encounters, avoid disturbing nests and use natural repellents when necessary. For nests located in high-traffic areas, professional removal may be the safest option.

Conclusion

The Jack Spaniard (Polistes lanio) is a unique component of Trinidad and Tobago’s ecosystem. While often misunderstood, these wasps contribute to pollination and pest control, supporting a balanced environment. Understanding their behaviors and learning to coexist with these wasps can help foster a deeper appreciation for their ecological role.

Source: Polistes lanio (Jack Spaniard) – UWI St. Augustine 12^th November 2011

August 24, 2021

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