The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera).

The species of paper wasps in the tribe Vespini, family Vespidae from America North of Mexico are reviewed, including a new identification key to the genera and species, complete synonymy, distribution and biology. This fauna includes six species of Dolichovespula Rohwer, three species of Vespa Linnaeus and 13 species of Vespula Thomson. No Holarctic species are recognized, with the result that Dolichovespula arctica (Rohwer) and Vespula intermedia (du Buysson) are again recognized as species, while Vespula infernalis (de Saussure) is given new status as a species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]