Social behavior and brood decline in reproductive-phase colonies ofBelonogaster petiolata (Degeer) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) |
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Authors: | Malcolm G Keeping |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;(2) Present address: Department of Entomology, South African Sugar Association Experiment Station, Private Bag X02, 4300 Mount Edgecombe, South Africa |
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Abstract: | Colonies ofBelonogaster petiolata in Gauteng (South Africa) produced reproductive offspring (gynes and males) in late January and early February of each nesting
season; their appearance was associated with a decline in worker and brood numbers. Brood decline could commence in the presence
of a dominant, reproductively active queen, and loss or removal of the queen was not followed directly by cessation of nest
growth and brood care. An older worker usually took over the α-position in queenless colonies. Several factors appear to contribute
to brood decline and, ultimately, termination of the colony cycle in this species. These include (1) cessation of the supply
of solid food to colonies (and particularly their larvae) during the reproductive phase, (2) a decrease in the worker/larva
ratio during the latter phase due to the progressive loss of workers, (3) increasing number of gynes and males, and (4) an
adult priority over food reception from foragers. |
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Keywords: | social behavior colony cycle brood decline social wasp Belonogaster Vespidae |
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