Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 84 (3): 357-363, 2011
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Colony cycle, foundation strategy and nesting biology of a Neotropical paper
wasp
DANIELLE M. S. SINZATO, FLÁVIO R. ANDRADE, ANDRÉ R. DE SOUZA, KLEBER DEL-CLARO &
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.
colony
productivity, colony success, foundation pattern, Polistes ferreri
