Polistes dominulus
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 Polistes dominulus
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| Polistes dominulus Christ, 1791 |
Polistes dominulus, sometimes referred to as the European paper wasp, is one of the more common and well-known species of social wasps in Europe; for many years, the species was known as Polistes gallicus, a name which was incorrectly attributed. This species was introduced into the US about 1981 and has quickly spread throughout most of the country, in most cases replacing native species within a couple of years. It nests earlier in the spring, in a wider variety of nest sites, is more aggressive, and feeds on a larger variety of insects (native US species feed almost entirely on caterpillars). Most entomologists consider it to be an invasive species, while others note that it may become an important control of Japanese beetle, itself a serious invasive pest. This wasp is very commonly mistaken for a yellowjacket, as it is black strongly marked with yellow, in a pattern very reminiscent of a yellowjacket, and quite different from the native North American species of Polistes.
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[edit] Life-cycle
Nests are begun by overwintered foundresses, who spend about a month in the spring constructing a nest and provisioning offspring, the first of which will become daughter workers in the growing colony. Males are produced later, and when they start to appear, a few daughters may mate and leave their nest, to become foundresses the next season. The switch from production of workers to production of future foundresses ("gynes") is not utterly abrupt, therefore, as has been considered the case for other species of Polistes.
The colony disperses in the late summer, with only males and future foundresses produced instead of workers, and individuals frequently cluster in groups (called a hibernaculum) to overwinter. Hibernation does not usually take place on former nest sites.
[edit] Dominance hierarchy system
Morphologically, there is little difference between the foundress and subordinate reproductive members of the colony. However, several studies have shown that behavioural differentiation occurs,[1][2] the role the individual female taking determined by social interaction within the colony. Typically, the alpha female dominates all other individuals of a colony, and this female lays the majority of eggs, and partakes in differential oophagy. The alpha female devotes much of her time to social interaction, in comparison to subordinates that are much more involved in foraging and brood care.[3]
These behavioural divisions are not permanent; if an alpha female is removed from a nest then another female (usually the second-most dominant, beta female) assumes the role and behavioural profile of the removed dominant. Indeed, individuals alternate between different profiles of behaviour within their own dominance rank position.
Some studies seem to indicate that the dominant female, through its behaviour, suppresses the ovarian development of subordinates.[2] Abdominal wagging is thought to serve as a dominance signal between dominant foundresses and subordinates, but studies by Roseler and Roseler (1989) showed that ovariectomised dominants failed to restrict subordinate reproduction whilst still retaining dominance.
There are also evidently some factors present in the interactions of females on the nest that can influence which daughters become workers and which become gynes; despite some minor physiological differences (primarily in the fat body), "gyne-destined" females produced late in the colony cycle can be induced to become workers if placed on nests that are at an earlier stage of colony development, and the converse is also true. This indicates a significant degree of flexibility in the caste system of this species.
[edit] Nestmate recognition
Dominant individuals of P. dominulus have differing cuticular profile to workers,[4] and the frequent observations of the dominant female stroking its gasters across the nest surface, combined with its staying on the nest for longer times than subordinates, suggests that the dominant individual may contribute more to the nest odour.
[edit] External links
- Paper wasp Polistes dominulus reference photographs, descriptions, taxonomy
- Polistes dominulus facial markings indicating dominance
[edit] References
- Karsai I. & Penzes Z. (1996). Intra-specific variation in the comb structure of Polistes dominulus: parameters, maturation, nest size and cell arrangement. Insectes Sociaux 43: 277-296.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Theraulaz G., Gervet J. et al (1992). The dynamics of colony organisation in the primitively eusocial wasp Polistes dominulus Christ. Ethology 91: 177-202.
- ^ a b Pardi (1993). from table compiled in Ito Y.: "Behaviour and Social Evolution of Wasps: The Communal Aggregation Hypothesis": 46.
- ^ Theraulaz G., Pratte M. & Gervet J. (1989). Effects of removal of alpha individuals from a Polistes dominulus Christ. Wasp society: Changes in behavioural patterns resulting from hierarchical changes. Insectes Sociaux 5: 169-179.
- ^ Bonavita-Cougourdan A., Theraulaz G., Bagneres A.G., Roux M., Pratte M., Provost E., Clement J.L (1991). Cuticular hydrocarbons, social organisation and ovarian development in a polistine wasp: Polistes dominulus. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B Biochem. Mol. Biol 100: 667-680.
[edit] Gallery
 Closeup of Polistes dominulus |
 foundress beginning nest construction |
 Polistes dominulus colony |
