An attraction pheromone from heads of worker vespula germanica wasps

D'ADAMO, P., M. LOZADA AND J. CORLEY

JOURNAL OF INSECT BEHAVIOUR

Año: 2004 vol. 17 p. 809 - 821

0892-7553

Vespula germanica is a social wasp that efficiently exploits food resources. Odor cues, derived from substances located in wasp heads, have been proved to be central in conspecific attraction in this species. However, it remains unknown whether this attraction is related to foraging or defense responses. In this study we analyze conspecific attraction under two different contexts: at the nest entrance (defense) and under foraging conditions. We also test wasp response with two dosages of head extract and crosschecked the attractiveness of extracts obtained from different populations. We found no evidence of alarm response to head extracts either at the nest entrance or under foraging conditions. Moreover, no differences in attractiveness were found to both doses tested. Head extracts attract similarly in the same or a different population suggesting that conspecific attraction is not restricted to colony nestmates.is a social wasp that efficiently exploits food resources. Odor cues, derived from substances located in wasp heads, have been proved to be central in conspecific attraction in this species. However, it remains unknown whether this attraction is related to foraging or defense responses. In this study we analyze conspecific attraction under two different contexts: at the nest entrance (defense) and under foraging conditions. We also test wasp response with two dosages of head extract and crosschecked the attractiveness of extracts obtained from different populations. We found no evidence of alarm response to head extracts either at the nest entrance or under foraging conditions. Moreover, no differences in attractiveness were found to both doses tested. Head extracts attract similarly in the same or a different population suggesting that conspecific attraction is not restricted to colony nestmates.