The role of males in a neotropical paper wasp, Polistes ferreri Saussure, 1853 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae)

Abstract

There are a few studies about the behavior of males of paper wasps in the colonies; however, some activities performed by males , such as nest maintenance and brood care, have been described in the literature. Between February and June 2001, behavioral observations were carried out on three colonies of Polistes ferreri Saussure, 1853, from postemergence to decline phases. Productivity,
emergence time, permanence on the combs and behavioral repertory were verified during the observations. The emergence of males took place between February and June, and the productivity was 17,66±12,05 males per colony. Such values were smaller than those found for other species of Polistes. Seventeen behavioral acts were registered for males of P. ferreri. Males remained in the colony for a short period (average of 8,06 days). Some performed acts by males seem to be related to the tasks in the nests and to the mating behavior.