Abstract

GRAJALES, Gretthehun G.  and  WCISLO, Willian T.. Nest architecture of group-living wasps Microstigmus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae): role of the pedicel as a defense against ants. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 1998, vol.46, n.4, pp.1141-1143. ISSN 0034-7744.

The nest pedicel of a social sphecid wasp Microstigmus nr. thripoctenus plays an important role in protecting the brood against ant predators, as inferred from data on artificial nests. A pair of artificial nests with or without pedicels was suspended from the undersides of leaves (Carludovica palmata) for 30 min to assess rates of discovery and removal of food (tuna bait) by ants (N = 36 pairs). Three-hundred and forty-three individuals of five ant species removed food at a higher frequency from nests without pedicels (83.3% of 36 nests) than for nests with pedicels (11.1% of 36 nests).

Keywords : brood predation; ants; nest architecture; maternal care; defense.