Yellow-banded Polybia Wasp

Polybia occidentalis, commonly known as camoati, is a swarm-founding advanced eusocial wasp. Swarm-founding means that a swarm of these wasps find a nesting site and build the nest together. This species can be found in Central and South America. P. occidentalis preys on nectar, insects, and carbohydrate sources, while birds and ants prey on and parasitize them. P. occidentalis workers bite each other to communicate the time to start working.

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Is it venomous or poisonous?

Considered venomous. Public sources list it as such; we have not verified this individually. The note covers its whole family. Wasps and hornets; stings Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Polybia ruficeps — considered venomous
• Polybia plebeja — considered venomous
• Ropalidia timida — considered venomous
• Protonectarina sylveirae — considered venomous
• Polybia paulista — considered venomous
• Protopolybia exigua — considered venomous

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Vespidae

Genus

Polybia

Species

Polybia occidentalis

More species