The role of males in a neotropical paper wasp, Polistes ferreri Saussure, 1853 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae)

There are a few studies about the behavior of males of paper wasps in the colonies; however, some activities performed by males , such as nest maintenance and brood care, have been described in the literature. Between February and June 2001, behavioral observations were carried out on three colonies of Polistes ferreri Saussure, 1853, from postemergence to decline phases. Productivity,emergence time, permanence on the combs and behavioral repertory were verified during the observations. The emergence of males took place between February and June, and the productivity was 17,66±12,05 males per colony. Such values were smaller than those found for other species of Polistes. Seventeen behavioral acts were registered for males of P. ferreri. Males remained in the colony for a short period (average of 8,06 days). Some performed acts by males seem to be related to the tasks in the nests and to the mating behavior

Colony cycle, foundation strategy and nesting biology of a Neotropical paper wasp Ciclo colonial, estrategia de la fundación y biología de anidación de una avispa de papel neotropical

Polistes ferreri Saussure, 1853 is a Neotropical paper wasp often found in anthropic environments. However, there is little information available on biological, ecological and behavioral interactions of this species under these environmental conditions. This study investigated the colony cycle, foundation strategy and nesting biology of this species. From March of 2000 to February of 2004, several colonies were studied in the municipal district of Juiz de Fora, in southeastern Brazil. The colony cycle events of P. ferreri are concentrated in specific periods of the year. The colonies are established principally by association of females, the latter is the foundation strategy that confers the greatest success. Nidification on manmade substrates seems common for the species. The peduncle of the nest is increased in width to support the weight of colony members. Likewise, cells are increased in height, in accordance with the size of the layers of meconium, allowing accommodation of the immature. It is suggested that, at least for post-emergent colonies of P. ferreri, the cost of nest construction is not a factor limiting the development of the colonies. Finally, the results also support the idea that the reuse of cells is an advantageous strategy because it saves costs related to the construction of new cells.Polistes ferreri Saussure, 1853 es una avispa de papel neotropical encontrada a menudo en ambientes antrópicos. Sin embargo, hay poca información disponible sobre las interacciones biológicas, ecológicas y de comportamiento de esta especie en estas condiciones ambientales. Este estudio investigó el ciclo de la colonia, la estrategia de fundación y la biología de anidación de esta especie. Desde marzo de 2000 a febrero de 2004, varias colonias fueron estudiadas en el municipio de Juiz de Fora, en el sureste de Brasil. Los eventos del ciclo de la colonia de P. ferreri se concentran en determinados períodos del año. Las colonias se establecen, principalmente, por asociación de hembras, siendo esta la estrategia que se traduce en un mayor éxito. La nidificación en sustratos artificiales parece común para la especie. El pedúnculo del nido va aumentando en ancho para soportar el peso de los miembros de la colonia. Del mismo modo, las celdas aumentan en altura, de acuerdo con el tamaño de las capas de meconio, lo que permite el alojamiento de los inmaduros. Se sugiere que, al menos para las colonias de postemergentes de P. ferreri, el costo de la construcción del nido no es un factor que limita el desarrollo de las colonias. Por último, los resultados también apoyan la idea de que la reutilización de las celdas es una estrategia ventajosa porque reduce los costos relacionados con la construcción de nuevas celdas