The swarming of males and reproductive females of species of Polistes was documented at 14 structures in Florida. Both sexes of four species occurred at all swarm sites sampled; these were Polistes fuscatus (F.), P. bellicosus Cresson, P. dorsalis (F.), and P. metricus Say. Polistes Carolina (L.), P. bahamensis Bequaert & Salt, and P. exclamans Viereck were also collected at a few sites. Most females were inside enclosed areas near the tops of towers and most males were in dispersed swarms around the outside of such areas. Swarming occurred from late September into December. Females appeared to form overwintering aggregations, and males scent-marked and defended perches near the tops of the towers.
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Reed et al. (1991) studied this question.