Olfactory cues in host nest detection by the social parasite Polistes sulcifer (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Cervo, Rita Bertocci, F. Turillazzi, Stefano
Copyright Year	1996
Abstract	Sometimes the nests of the paper wasp Polistes dominulus are parasitized by the obligate social parasite Polistes sulcifer. It is not known how, in the spring, this parasite searches for established nests of its host species. This study investigates the capacity to detect the host nest by olfactory cues alone. In laboratory experiments P. sulcifer females were allowed to choose different options hidden from view: host nest and dummy, various portions of the host nest (larvae, pupae and material), nests or immature brood pertaining to different sympatric species (P. dominulus, P. nimpha and P. gallicus). The parasites proved to be capable of perceiving nest odour and of discriminating between different species of Polistes. The odour of the immature host brood, rather than the nest material, elicits the greatest response in the parasites.
Starting Page	213
Ending Page	218
Page Count	6
File Format	PDF HTM / HTML
DOI	10.1016/0376-6357(95)00030-5
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/0376635795000305
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0376635795000305?dgcid=api_sd_search-api-endpoint
PubMed reference number	24896870
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-6357%2895%2900030-5
Journal	Medline
Volume Number	36
Journal	Behavioural Processes
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article