Summary
The social parasiteSulcopolistes atrimandibularis invades the nest ofPolistes biglumis bimaculatus after nest initiation, during the pre-emergence colony stage, when only the foundress is present. The colony behaviour of the parasites and the hosts was observed in small glass boxes in the laboratory.
S. atrimandibularis females passively invadePolistes colonies and do not react to the initial attacks by the foundresses. At first, the parasite avoids contact with the host queen when she is on the nest, but after a few hours she becomes more active and dominant. In this way, the parasite subdues the host queen without fighting her. It is possible that the success of this invasion process is due to a strong pheromonal component. Both the timing of usurpation and the non aggressive strategy of nest invasion are thought to be adaptations to the mountain climate where the two species live.
Resume
Le parasite socialSulcopolistes atrimandibularis envahit le nid dePolistes biglumis bimaculatus un certain temps après sa fondation mais avant l'éclosion de la première ouvrière hôte, quand la fondatrice est encore seule. Le comportement des parasites et des hôtes a été observé dans de petites cages en laboratoire. Les femellesS. atrimandibularis envahissent pacifiquement les colonies dePolistes et ne réagissent pas aux attaques initiales de la fondatrice. Le parasite évite les contacts avec la reine hôte quand elle se trouve sur le nid, mais devient plus actif et dominant après quelques heures. De cette façon, le parasite subjugue la reine hôte sans l'attaquer. Il est possible que le succès de cette invasion extrêmement prudente soit dû à une forte composante pheromonale. Tant la période d'usurpation que la stratégie non agressive de l'invasion du nid sont supposés être une adaptation au climat de montagne sous lequel ces espèces vivent.
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Study supported by funds of the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione (60%).
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Cervo, R., Lorenzi, M.C. & Turillazzi, S. Nonaggressive usurpation of the nest ofPolistes biglumis bimaculatus by the social parasiteSulcopolistes atrimandibularis (Hymenoptera Vespidae). Ins. Soc 37, 333–347 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02225996
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02225996