Males of Neotropical social wasps (Vespidae, Polistinae, Epiponini) recognize colonies with virgin females

Abstract

Male behavior of Neotropical swarm-founding wasps has rarely been observed. The few published observations about male activities only describe their behavior during the short period they spend inside nests. In consequence, virtually nothing is known about what they do outside the colonies, and even less is known about mating behavior. This paper provides the first report of Epiponini males arriving at a colony with virgin females. The behavior of males and workers after queen removal was observed in one colony of Chartergellus communis located at a farm in Pedregulho, São Paulo, Brazil. The day after queen elimination, males were observed outside the nest. When males tried to enter the nest, workers aggressively attacked them. These attacks were similar to the defensive behavior used when foreign conspecifics attempt to enter the nest. The aggressive workers response and the absence of males before queen removal indicated that the males did not belong to the colony. Additionally, no fights were observed between individuals before queen removal. It is likely that foreign males arrived at the colony to mate with virgin females. Observations suggest that epiponine males are able to find nests with virgin females in mature stages of the colony cycle, and that mating can occur during different stages of the colony cycle.

On the Production, Mating and Behavior of Males in Synoeca surinama (Vespidae: Polistinae: Epiponini)

“…Workers assault on foreign males was also documented for other species of Epiponini like Chartergellus communis (Chavarría & Noll, 2014) and Polybia liliacea (Jeanne, personal communication), suggesting that workers attack males, as if they do not recognize them as colony members, probably because they lack the same chemical signals (Pfennig et al, 1983).…”

“…Several young females were seen leaving and returning to the nest in this study, suggesting that mating would also occur in S. surinama. Chavarría and Noll (2014) observed males trying to enter a nest of Chartergellus communis with new females, suggesting that mating would also occur near or inside the nest. Mating in S. surinama may also occur within the nest, as well as outside, as we have seen males mounting and copulating with new queens in the comb.…”

“…Male aggregations distant from nests were observed in Polybia sericea (West-Eberhard, 1982) and Polybia occidentalis (Jeanne, 1991). Recently, Chavarría and Noll (2014) observed males of Chartergellus communis trying to enter a nest with new females, possibly seeking to copulate. However, mating in situ has never been observed.…”