The Metricus paper wasp (Polistes metricus) is a wasp native to North America. An interesting fact about this species is that Polistes metricus foragers take off from their nests as if they already know how long their trip is. For short flights they exit the nest flying horizontally, while for long flights they exit the nest flying straight up into a high altitude before pursuing their direction. In the United States, Polistes metricus ranges throughout the southern Midwest, the South, and as far northeast as New York, but has recently been spotted in southwest Ontario. A single female specimen has also been reported from Dryden, Maine. Polistes metricus is dark colored, with yellow tarsi and black tibia. Nests of Polistes metricus can be found attached to the sides of buildings, trees, and shrubbery.