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Life history and chemical ecology of the Warrior wasp Synoeca septentrionalis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini)

Santos, Eliaber B.; Shemilt, Sue; de Carvalho, Carlos A.L.; Martin, Stephen J.

Life history and chemical ecology of the Warrior wasp Synoeca septentrionalis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Epiponini) Thumbnail


Authors

Eliaber B. Santos

Carlos A.L. de Carvalho

Stephen J. Martin



Abstract

Swarm-founding ‘Warrior wasps’ (Synoeca spp.) are found throughout the tropical regions of South America, are much feared due to their aggressive nest defence and painful sting. There are only five species of Synoeca, all construct distinctive nests that consist of a single sessile comb built onto the surface of a tree or rock face, which is covered by a ribbed envelope. Although locally common, research into this group is just starting. We studied eight colonies of Synoeca septentrionalis, a species recently been described from Brazil. A new colony is established by a swarm of 52 to 140 adults that constructs a colony containing around 200 brood cells. The largest colony collected containing 865 adults and over 1400 cells. The number of queen’s present among the eight colonies varied between 3 and 58 and no clear association between colony development and queen number was detected. Workers and queens were morphologically indistinguishably, but differences in their cuticular hydrocarbons were detected, particularly in their (Z)-9-alkenes. The simple cuticular profile, multiple queens, large size and small number of species makes the ‘Warrior wasps’ an excellent model group for further chemical ecology studies of swarm-founding wasps.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 4, 2018
Publication Date Mar 22, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal PLoS One
Print ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher Public Library of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 13
Issue 3
Article Number e0194689
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194689
Keywords Synoeca septentrionalis, Warrior wasp, chemical ecology.
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194689

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