Key to subgenera of the genus Polistes from China

1. Clypeus latero-dorsally extending far above the anterior tentorial pits (Fig. 1 a). Pronotal fovea absent (Fig.1 b); mesepisternum without dorsal mesepisternal groove (Fig. 1 c) and epicnemial carina (Fig. 1 d)................ Polistella Ashmead, 1904

- Clypeus latero-dorsally extending not or somewhat far beyond the anterior tentorial pits (Fig. 2 aa). Pronotal fovea present (Fig. 2 bb); mesepisternum with dorsal episternal groove (Fig. 2 cc) or/and epicnemial carina (Fig. 2 dd)..................... 2

2. Pronotal carina lamellate ventrad to fovea (Fig. 3 a); parastigma (prestigma) [pa] of forewing more than 0.5x as long as the basal length of pterostigma [pt] (Fig. 3 b, b').............................................. Gyrostoma Kirby, 1828

- Pronotal carina shortened or blunt, not lamellate below fovea (Fig. 4 aa); parastigma relatively short, less than or equal to the 0.5x length of pterostigma (Fig. 4 bb).................................................... Polistes Latreille, 1802