Appearance
"Synoeca septentrionalis" exhibits a black-ish or dark blue color and has a metallic-like appearance. Their wings are also quite large and are entirely infuscate. Their metasomal tergum and sternum both exhibit erect hairs, and their clypeus is imprinted with an area that resembles a dark triangle. Color patterns vary among the species; some exhibit a reddish color, while others are completely darkened. Overall, they are a medium-sized wasp with lengths of approximately 20 millimetres.They are considered to be paper wasps, as their nests are made out of paper. Their nests will change as a colony grows. Typically, they will start as one comb within a ridged, domed envelope that also has a hole or holes where other lobes can be added as necessary. Most nests have only two to three lobes, but nests with nine lobes that span over three meters have been reported. Occasionally, some of the holes will be paired as two, and, combined, they have a perimeter of 10–12 centimetres. Certain holes will remain open and act as entrances or exits for "S. septentrionalis".
Distribution
"S. septentrionalis" are found in Central and South America, especially in areas such as Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela. They are also Neotropical, meaning that they are found in primarily tropical climates, such as rainforests, where humidity is relatively high. "S. septentrionalis" is found more north than others in the genus as well."S. septentrionalis" will often build their nests on trees, specifically flat against a tree trunk or a limb. Nests have been seen between 1.70 and 6 meters above the ground.
Habitat
"S. septentrionalis" are found in Central and South America, especially in areas such as Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela. They are also Neotropical, meaning that they are found in primarily tropical climates, such as rainforests, where humidity is relatively high. "S. septentrionalis" is found more north than others in the genus as well."S. septentrionalis" will often build their nests on trees, specifically flat against a tree trunk or a limb. Nests have been seen between 1.70 and 6 meters above the ground.
Defense
The defensive behavior in "S. septentrionalis" often involves a large number of workers leaving the nest in order to display or attack with their stingers in response to a disturbance. Often, after the wasps leave the nest, they will display their gaster in such a way that it is perpendicular to the ground and the rest of their body; this behavior is defined as gaster-flagging. From a defensive standpoint, it is likely that gaster-flagging serves as a warning signal to predators that "S. septentrionalis" will engage in defensive stinging behavior if necessary. Likewise, gaster-flagging could potentially serve as a visual communication method between other members of the colony in order to mobilize them in the presence of a threat.Along with gaster-flagging, "S. septentrionalis" will warn the colony when it is disturbed by drumming the inside of the nest, creating a characteristic alarm sound. To make the sound, the wasps scrape their mandibles across the nest walls. This is a characteristic defensive mechanism that all species of the genus "Synoeca" exhibit."S. septentrionalis" has an incredibly painful sting. Out of a possible 4 points on the "STARR: Pain Scale for Hymenoptera Stings," "S. septentrionalis" received a 4, a rating which very few other species in the hymenoptera order achieved. A 4/4 on this scale means that the sting is considered to be "traumatically painful" and often requires some medical attention.
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