摘要:

Mischocyttarus atramentariusdeploys exocrine glands in the VI and VII sternites which closely resemble sternal glands in other Vespidae, in both biosynthesis and secretory release specializations. Preliminary findings on the highly patterned architecture of the end-apparatus are described and briefly discussed: it is proposed that the ultrastructural traits of these glands are consistent with the production and emission of molecules active as chemical signals.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721972

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The nest-exchange technique was employed on colonies ofBelonogaster juncea junceato study the degree of nest and immature brood recognition in adults. In each experiment two nests, approximately at the same stage of development and found in the field, were exchanged and the behaviour of the females was recorded before and after their substitution. Checking the nests 24 hr after the exchange showed that all the experimental nests had been accepted by the alien females and that a portion of the eggs and immature larvae had been destroyed. It seems that just one female on each nest is responsible for destroying the immature brood. None of the behaviours performed by the females suggested that they applied secretion over the nest surface and immature brood. From the results of the experiment, it appears that a nest and brood recognition mechanism exists in this species, which is probably based on characteristic odours.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721973

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Male mating activity ofPolistes semenowi, observed in a mountain environment, falls into a series of categories common toP. biglumis bimaculatus, a paper wasp living at high altitude: daily aggregations and territorial behaviour at peculiar non-resource sites, i.e. sunlit stones and slabs in a meadow; a lek-like spatial pattern of territories, characterized by a clear preference for certain sites; sexual behaviour towards conspecific females on habitual perches.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721974

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The results of a morphological and morphometric comparison between two species ofPolistesobligate social parasites and their two respective host species are reported. Some parts of the body of the parasites were found to be larger than those of their hosts. Probably, such morphological traits are an advantage to the parasites during the nest invasion fights, e.g. the size of the mandibles which they use as a weapon against the foundress and workers.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721975

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

In several species of wasps belonging to the genusPolistes, the first workers to emerge during the colonial cycle are smaller than the foundresses. As the cycle proceeds, the emerging workers are larger and larger, so that when the future reproductives appear they are no larger than workers of the same age. This study analyzes the size differences found in the workers and foundresses in a sample of 638 females collected in the course of one year. After anatomical analysis, each female was assigned to one of the following groups: foundress, future foundress and worker. Each individual was measured for maximum head width and right wing length. Although the size of emerging females also increases inP. gallicusas the season advances, workers are always smaller than the foundresses, and the future reproductives always larger than workers found on the nest at the same time. Results also suggest that the smaller future foundresses are selected out during overwintering.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721976

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The sternal glands in the VI abdominal sternite ofPolistes gallicus(L.) were followed under transmission electron microscope from March to June. The monocellular secretory units were seen to display a morphological evolution in both their biosynthetic apparatus and cytoplasmic content which may be related to a functional cycle characterized by an asynchronous timing of manufacture and release activities.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721977

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Five intraspecific raids, involving threePolyergus rufescenscolonies, were recorded in the field during summer 1991. These raids were characterized by violent and prolonged fights and in two cases only were invaders able to pillage some brood. We interpret this phenomenon as a consequence of territorial competition among neighbouring colonies of the European amazon antP. rufescens.These territorial battles could influence the spatial distribution of nests and therefore the success of founding by newly mated queens. The occurrence of intraspecific territorial raids observed for the first time in this obligatory slave-making ant is interpreted as an important factor in the evolution of dulosis.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721978

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The interspecific relationships between the obligatory slave-making antPolyergus rufescensand three host species belonging to theFormica fuscagroup (i.e.F. cunicularia, F. gagates, andF. rufibarbis) were analysed and quantified in the laboratory using an aggression test.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721979

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Rearing trials on severalBombusspecies were carried out in 1990 and 1991. The purpose was to improve techniques of colony management and to observe colony growth and the behaviour of foraging workers. A total of 5 queens ofBombus hortorum(L.), 32 ofB. humilisIll., 93 ofB. lapidarius(L.), 77 ofB. pratorum(L.), 5 ofB. ruderatus(F.), and 177 ofB. terrestris(L.) were collected in spring on flowering plants. No queen ofB. hortorum, but 1 ofB. humilis, 1 ofB. lapidarius, 11 ofB. pratorum, 3 ofB. ruderatus, and 33 ofB. terrestrisstarted to rear larvae, however, workers emerged only in 1 colony ofB. lapidarius, 5 ofB. pratorum, 2 ofB. ruderatus, and 29 ofB. terrestris.In 1990, virgin queens and males coming fromB. terrestrisartificial nests were placed in mating cages; these queens were then used to found new colonies, that were reared throughout the winter until the completion of their cycle.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721980

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The honey bee is a pollinator which gives satisfactory results with protected crops. Pollination of flowers by field-bees and the development of colonies used for pollination in confined environments are closely related. The structural characteristics and the type of covering of the artificial environment, as well as the time when the colony is placedin situand the length of the residences often influence the activity and survival of these insects. Observations made during the period of strawberry blossom have shown the possibility of colony adaptation to particular semicircular tunnels and plastic film covered greenhouses with side openings. Colonies with small numbers of adults and brood cells adapted better than stronger ones to protected conditions over a 3-week period. Colony growth was inversely proportional to the initial size of the nucleus. Among factors inhibiting flight and colony development was relative humidity above 80%, which causes the protozoonNosema apisto proliferate, giving rise to nosemiasis.

ISSN:0394-9370    

DOI:10.1080/03949370.1994.10721981

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1994

数据来源: Taylor