Colonial cycle of Sulcopolistes atrimandibularis, social parasite of Polistes biglumis bimaculatus (Hymenoptera Vespidae)

Abstract

Data collected in the field throughout two summer seasons from 40 nests of Polistes biglumis bimaculatus parasitized by Sulcopolistes atrimandibularis allowed us to outline the colonial cycle of the parasites and to identify the sequence of host and parasite brood emergence.

KEY WORDS:

• Sulcopolistes atrimandibularis
• Polistes biglumis bimaculatus
• wasps
• social parasitism
• colony cycle