Age polyethism in the swarm-founding wasp Metapolybia miltoni (Andena & Carpenter) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Polistinae, Epiponini)

Authors

  • Laura Chavarría FFCLRP- Universidade de São Paulo
  • Fernando Barbosa Noll IBILCE-UNESP, São José do Rio Preto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v60i2.214-216

Keywords:

social wasps, division of labor, workers

Abstract

Division of labor in Epiponini is associated with age polyethism and individual task specialization. We observed worker activities in three colonies of Metapoybia miltoni in Brazil. We analyzed differences of task allocation between age groups. Old workers tend to forage more than young, but age polyethism was less evident in other tasks. Age composition of population could be a determinant factor in task allocation. Possibly workers are allocate to perform tasks according to colony needs, and no to individual’s age. Consider age population in studies of division of labor could help to understand how colonies respond to different situations.

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Author Biographies

Laura Chavarría, FFCLRP- Universidade de São Paulo

Programa de pós graduação Entomologia, Departamento de Biologia

Fernando Barbosa Noll, IBILCE-UNESP, São José do Rio Preto

Laboratório de Aculeata Sistemática e Comportamento, Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica

References

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Published

2013-06-29

How to Cite

Chavarría, L., & Noll, F. B. (2013). Age polyethism in the swarm-founding wasp Metapolybia miltoni (Andena & Carpenter) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Polistinae, Epiponini). Sociobiology, 60(2), 214–216. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v60i2.214-216

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Short Note

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