page_title: Polistes sulcifer
section_title: Distribution
hierarchical_section_title: Polistes sulcifer / Distribution
caption_attribution_description: English: I modified this public domain map with dots of the Polistes sulcifer distribution based on the source, http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20m?kind=Polistes+sulcifer
context_page_description: Polistes sulcifer is a species of paper wasp in the genus Polistes that is found in Italy and Croatia. It is one of only three known Polistes obligate social parasites, sometimes referred to as "cuckoo paper wasps", and its host is the congeneric species Polistes dominula. As an obligate social parasite, this species has lost the ability to build nests, and relies on the host workers to raise its brood. P. sulcifer females use brute force, followed by chemical mimicry in order to successfully usurp a host nest and take over as the queen.
context_section_description: P. sulcifer is rare and is found in areas around the Mediterranean and Caspian basin, specifically in Central and Northern Italy  and Croatia. Its distribution is patchy and population low, most likely due to differing availability of host nests. Fertile females overwinter at high altitudes, cool temperatures, and in low light. After overwintering, P. sulcifer females go to lowland plains, where their host species nests are found.
caption: Polistes sulcifer distribution
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