DEFENSE OF THE PRE-EMERGENCE COLONY AGAINST ANTS BY MEANS OF A CHEMICAL BARRIER IN ROPALIDIA FASCIATA (HYMENOPTERA, VESPIDAE)

Abstract

Ropalidia fasciata (F.) females rub the basal tuft of the terminal gastral sternite against the petiole of the nest. Foundresses of mature single-foundress colonies (with pupae and/or final-instar larvae) rubbed more frequently than those of young single-foundress colonies (with eggs and/or first-instar larvae). The close temporal association of rubbing with licking on the petiole is likely to contribute to keep the chemical barrier against ants. Departure of the foundress from the nest was much frequently preceded by the rubbing behavior on a single-foundress colony than on a multiple-foundress colony.