Tropical Paper Wasp

Polistes stigma (Fabricius, 1793), called the Tropical Paper Wasp, of family Vespidae, subfamily Polistinae, tribe Polistini, is a small paper wasp distributed in much of Asia. It is a rich brown color with lighter orange brown legs and antennae. The end of the abdomen is banded with yellow. The wings are the most distinctive feature; on the edge of each forewing, which are clear, there is a noticeable dark spot. This is one of the smallest Polistes species, reaching merely 14mm on average. Food: The wasps take caterpillars to feed their larvae. Breeding: Builds a paper nest, usually hanging downwards with open cells on the bottom.

Could be subspecies Polistes stigma manillensis de Saussure, 1853 or subspecies Polistes stigma dubius de Saussure, 1867. Both have Luzon distribution.