INTRODUCTORY STUDIES ON THE LIFE ECONOMY OF POLISTINE WASPS : II. SUPERINDIVIDUAL STAGE : 2. DIVISION OF LABOR AMONG WORKERS

Abstract

This paper deals with the division of labor among individuals constituting the Polistes colony. Since the Japanese apecies of Polistes are monogynic, the labor is divided among workers in the superindividual stage, the founding female being then nothing but an egglaying machine. There is a tendency that older workers are in charge of the intracolonial tasks. Younger workers spend most of their time at rest, taking occasionally cell patrol, while middle-aged ones are mainly engaged in foraging. There is, however, no definite division of labor observable among them which is determined by their age as is the case with honeybees. Nevertheless, some extent of division of labor is certainly acknowledged in the Polistes colony and is considered as a factor by which the organization of the colony is maintained. In addition, distinction between a superorganism and a superindividual was discussed. It is more reasonable to regard the association of a founding female with her workers (excluding fertilizable females for the next generation) as a superindividual rather than to consider the whole colony as a superorganization.