Venom spraying inParachartergus colobopterus: A novel defensive behavior in a social wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) |
| |
Authors: | Robert L Jeanne Malcolm G Keeping |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, 53706 Madison, Wisconsin;(2) Department of Zoology, University of Durban-Westville, Durban, South Africa;(3) Present address: Entomology Department, South African Sugar Association Experiment Station, Private Bag X02, 4300 Mt. Edgecombe, South Africa |
| |
Abstract: | Colonies ofParachartergus colobopterus do not defend against vertebrates by attacking and stinging. Instead, defending workers bend the gaster forward and spray a fine mist of venom in the direction of nearby moving objects. Although venom spraying has been reported forP. fraternus, a species that does sting, we found that this occurred only during sting attempts. We conclude that defensive behavior inP. colobopterus is unique among wasps in that (1) venom is sprayed at intruders by workers standing on the nest and (2) the spray is an atomized mist rather than a stream. We suggest that nest crypticity restricts vertebrate predators on this wasp to small, insect gleaning birds, against which a spray of venom in the eyes, mouth, and nasal passages is more effective than is a stinging defense. |
| |
Keywords: | defensive behavior social wasps Vespidae Parachartergus venom communication |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|