Recognition of former nestmates during colony founding by the social wasp Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Post ◽  
Robert L. Jeanne
Keyword(s):  
Social Wasp ◽  
Colony Founding ◽  
Polistes Fuscatus ◽  
The Social

The timing of conflict and cooperation among cofoundresses of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
George J. Gamboa ◽  
Katherine A. Stump
Keyword(s):  
Social Wasp ◽  
Adaptive Significance ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Polistes Fuscatus ◽  
Conflict And Cooperation ◽  
Colony Cycle ◽  
The Social ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Ecological Pressure ◽  
Temporal Overlap

Field observations were made on 37 preworker, multiple-foundress colonies of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus. In total, 401.9 h of behavioural observations of cofoundresses were conducted at three different periods prior to the emergence of workers. Cofoundresses displayed a marked, significant increase in aggression at about the time in the colony cycle when reproductive-destined eggs began to be laid. Both queens and their subordinates became increasingly aggressive at this time. These empirical results support theoretical predictions that conflict among cofoundresses would intensify over the production of reproductive-destined (but not worker-destined) eggs. Cooperation in foraging to minimize nest inattendance as well as synchronicity (temporal overlap) in activity also increased significantly at the onset of the production of reproductive-destined eggs. Thus, conflict and cooperation are not necessarily antagonistic in P. fuscatus. Foundresses minimized the time that nests are unattended at a time in the colony cycle when most conspecific usurpations occur. This suggests that the ecological pressure of conspecific usurpation has favoured increased coordination in foraging to minimize the time nests are unattended. The adaptive significance, if any, of an increase in synchronicity of activity among cofoundresses at the onset of the production of reproductives is not obvious.

The disappearance of subordinate foundresses in paper wasps: eviction by nestmates or reproductive strategy?

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 1928-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
George J Gamboa ◽  
Janet L Savoyard ◽  
Laura M Panek
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Strategy ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Social Wasp ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Paper Wasps ◽  
Polistes Fuscatus ◽  
Colony Cycle ◽  
The Social ◽  
Behavioural Evidence ◽  
Related Mortality

Videotaped observations (371.3 h) were conducted in 1995, 1996, and 1997 on 50 multiple-foundress colonies of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus. Observations were made during the mid-preworker, late-preworker, and early-postworker stages of the colony cycle. The vast majority of lost subordinate cofoundresses (62 of 77) disappeared during the time interval from 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after the emergence of the first workers. The loss of subordinates did not appear to be the result of senescence or foraging-related mortality. Lost subordinates were from productive and presumably healthy colonies. In colonies containing two or more subordinates, lost subordinates had significantly greater dominance ranks than expected. There was no behavioural evidence that lost subordinates were evicted from their colony by queens, other subordinate foundresses, or workers. Lost subordinates were not observed to renest, join sister colonies, or adopt orphaned nests. Our results indicate that lost subordinates leave colonies of their own volition. Indirect evidence from other studies suggests that subordinates may disperse and usurp colonies from other sites.

COLD-HARDINESS IN FALL AND WINTER ADULTS OF THE SOCIAL WASP POLISTES FUSCATUS (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE) IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

1976 ◽  
Vol 108 (8) ◽  
pp. 801-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Gibo
Keyword(s):  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Temperature Fluctuations ◽  
Social Wasp ◽  
Polistes Fuscatus ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
The Social ◽  
Adult Insect ◽  
Large Fluctuations ◽  
Cold Hardy

AbstractCold-hardiness was investigated in fall and winter populations of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus (Fabricius), Individuals collected in the fall were able to survive 48 h at −10 °C. Both sexes were equally capable of surviving −5 °C. However, at −7.5 °C and −10.0 °C, females were more cold-hardy than males. About 50% of the overwintering female population were able to survive temperatures as low as −20 °C and monthly temperature fluctuations as great as 30 °C. None of the overwintering females was able to survive 48 h of −25 °C. Adult females of P. fuscatus are able to survive a winter temperature regime that, because of a combination of large fluctuations and low temperatures, is among the most severe reported for any adult insect.

The communicative meaning of body oscillations in the social wasp, Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

1998 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Savoyard ◽  
G. J. Gamboa ◽  
D. L. D. Cummings ◽  
R. L. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Social Wasp ◽  
Polistes Fuscatus ◽  
The Social

A LABORATORY STUDY ON THE SELECTIVE ADVANTAGE OF FOUNDRESS ASSOCIATIONS IN POLISTES FUSCATUS (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE)

1974 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Gibo
Keyword(s):  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Social Wasp ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Nest Size ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Polistes Fuscatus ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Single Foundress

AbstractOverwintering adults of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus (Fabricius) were collected in the early spring and placed in nest boxes under controlled conditions. Colonies were initiated, and one-, two-, and three-foundress associations were formed. Successful single-foundress colonies were similar to successful multiple-foundress colonies in developmental time for immatures, nest size, and total production of offspring. Multiple-foundress colonies were more likely to produce offspring than were single-foundress colonies. Half of the foundress wasps failed to reproduce, either because the colony failed or because they were non-reproductive subordinates. Apparently, wasps that were likely to fail at reproduction tended to join colonies rather than to initiate colonies. The relevance of this data to hypotheses on the selective advantage of foundress associations is discussed.

Recognition of Conspecifics and Sex By Territorial Males of the Social Wasp Polistes Fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Behaviour ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 91 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 78-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Jeanne ◽  
David C. Post
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Social Wasp ◽  
Orient Response ◽  
Polistes Fuscatus ◽  
Male Response ◽  
The Social ◽  
Close Range ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Test Objects

AbstractTerritorial males of Polistes fuscatus (subspecies variatus) respond to intruders with a chain of behavior of increasing intensity as follows: (1) no reaction, (2) orient, (3) pursue, (4) grasp, and (5) either grapple (with male intruders) or attempt copulation (with females). In the laboratory test objects combining different visual, chemical, and behavioral stimuli were tethered and waved in front of perched territorial males to determine the role of each in eliciting a male response. All test objects elicited an orient response. The overall color or contrast with the background and shape of the test object had little effect on male response. The black and yellow banded coloration characteristic of conspecifics released pursuit and grasping behavior, while chemical cues in combination with the banded coloration released grasping and grappling or attempt copulation. Recognition of sex was based on chemical cues and not on the sexually dichromic coloration. From this and previous studies we conclude that the black and yellow banded coloration of conspecifics is the most important visual stimulus for long-range attraction (> 15 cm) of males, while at close-range or on contact a cuticular surface pheromone and a sex pheromone from the venom are important in the recognition of conspecifics and for discrimination between the sexes.

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