Nestmate Recognition in the Bald-Faced Hornet: Dolichovespula maculata (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
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Authors
Ryan, Ruth E.
Issue Date
1983
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Laboratory studies of nestmate recognition were
conducted on gynes (potential queens) of the bald-faced
hornet, Dolichovespula maculata. Recognition was
determined using two bioassays, one involving behavioral
interactions, the other spacing patterns between
hornets. A control and two experimental groups were
observed. Individuals were exposed to 1) both their
natal nest and nestmates (control treatment), 2) only
their adult female nestmates (nestmates only treatment),
or 3) neither their nest or nestmates (isolate
treatment). In each group gynes were more tolerant
of their nestmates than they were of unrelated gynes.
Thus, gynes of D. maculata have the ability to recognize
their nestmate gynes apart from the context of their
natal nest using individually borne cues.
The ontogeny of a gyne's nestmate recognition ability
is affected by its isolation from its nest at emergence.
However, unlike previous studies of social wasps of the
genus Polistes, the isolation of a D. rnaculata gyne
from the natal nest at emergence does not prevent it
from later recognizing nestmates. This apparent
difference in the ontogeny of nestmate recognition
ability between the Polistinae and Vespinae may be at
least partly attributable to behavioral differences
between young gynes of the subfamilies.
Description
vii, 21 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
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