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The two paper wasps, Polistes dominula and Polistes gallicus, are related species with strongly differing distribution ranges. We investigated thermal tolerance traits (critical thermal limits and metabolic response to temperature) to gain knowledge about physiological adaptations to their local climate conditions and to get evidence for the reasons of P. dominula's successful dispersion. Body and ambient temperature measurements at the nests revealed behavioural adaptations to microclimate. The species differed clearly in critical thermal minimum ( P. dominula −1.4 °C, P. gallicus −0.4 °C), but not significantly in critical thermal maximum of activity ( P. dominula 47.1 °C, P. gallicus 47.6 °C). The metabolic response did not reveal clear adaptations to climate conditions. At low and high temperatures, the metabolic rate of P. dominula was higher, and at intermediate temperatures, we determined higher values in P. gallicus. However, the species exhibited remarkably differing thermoregulatory behaviour at the nest. On average, P. gallicus tolerated a thoracic temperature up to ~41 °C, whereas P. dominula already tried at ~37 °C to keep the thorax below ambient temperature. We suggest this to be an adaptation to the higher mean ambient temperature we measured at the nest during a breeding season. Although we determined for P. dominula a 0.5 °C larger thermal tolerance range, we do not presume this parameter to be solely responsible for the successful distribution of P. dominula. Additional factors, such as the thermal tolerance of the queens could limit the overwintering success of P. gallicus in a harsher climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]