High productivity in haplometrotic colonies of the introduced paper wasp Polistes dominulus (Hymenoptera : Vespidae; Polistinae)

The intrinsic rate of increase of a population in terms of fecundity, devel opmental time, and longevity, is known to affect the colonizing ability of species. We present evidence that Polistes dominulus, an invasive European paper wasp introduced to the United States, exhibits life-history traits th at predispose it to successful colonization. This predisposition is not sim ply due to the more frequent pleometrosis of P. dominulus. Many authors hav e speculated, based on cursory observations, that P. dominulus is replacing native species including P. metricus. The possibility of replacement in li ght of the data is discussed.