Parasites and Symbionts of Nests of Polistes Wasps

Detailed observations were made on nests of 3 species of Polistes wasps: P. annularis (L.), P. exclamans Viereck, and P. metricus Say. A summary of the records of the associated arthropods observed, together with those previously published, is given in tabular form. Twenty-three species of insects were known to be associated with Polistes nests in the United States; data on 18 additional insects and 1 mite species were gathered during this study. Symbionts and parasites reported for the first time are: Pyemotes sp., Lepinotus reticulatus Enderlein; Liposcelis bostrychophilus Badonnel; Ectopsocopsis cryptomeriae (Enderlein); Lachesilla sp.; the foreign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl) ; the brown spider beetle, Ptinus clavipes Panzer; Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst) ; T. inclusum LeConte; the grape leaf skeletonizer, Harrisina americana (Guerin-Meneville) ; Tinea carnariella Clemens; Sarcophaga sp.; Megaselia aletiae (Comstock) ; Phaenolauthia sp.; Melittobia chalybii Ashmead; Perilampus chrysopae Crawford; Monodontomerus minor (Ratzeburg); Dibrachys sp.; and Dialictus zephyrus (Smith). Observations on these and 8 other species are given.