CLOSED: Is this 'paper wasp'?

I have kept an old peanut roaster on the open attic. A couple of wasps were hovering over it. I just turned the handle and I saw a hive underneath. Is this what a 'paper wasp' is?

Here is the rusted old roaster just for information. Heat source: charcoal.

It looks like a species of genus Polistes (Red Paper Wasp), but I don't know the exact species.

Thanks for the clue, Mac.

I was wrong. I believe they are Ropalidia marginata. Here is a link:
http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/thresi/photoAlbum/html/ropalidiaMarginata.php?pageNum=0

This message was edited May 18, 2007 1:51 PM

It is. Thanks for coming back to this thread with the right answer. I'll be adding the details to the BF. I checked the link and saw many pictures that confirm that it is indeed Ropalidia marginata.

Dinu

Wasps scare me and these red ones look even angrier because of their color. They are interesting to see in pictures but I have no desire to meet them in person!

They attack only if their nests are touched or disturbed. I met them but they were very calm.

I have had wasps sting me when sitting at a table outside. The are attracted to meat and to sweet drinks such as soda. Their sting made my glands swell throughout my body because of an allergic reaction and my airway was starting to close off by the time we got to the hospital. It was not a fun time! So I think I'll let you take the pictures of them and I will view them from the safety of the internet!

Zany - Do you think you met a "yellow jacket"? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowjacket
Growin up in California I remember them behaving just as you describe. They are very aggressive. The creature that Dinu has in his toaster is not so aggressive. We had a similar wasp colony here and we co-existed with it nicely. During a large part of the day, the colony seemed inactive.

Yes, the yellow jacket wasp is the only one I have met peronally. They are very mean and aggressive creatures. I much prefer the mild mannered bumble bee or the honey bee. I am allergic to them also but they tend to leave me alone unless threatened.

That was a painful story, Zany. Such allergies could be fatal as swelling can lead to the blockage of the windpipe. Okay, Zany, I'll take pictures of them and you stay clear of those creatures.