New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Nesting biology of Asian paper wasps Polistes chinensis antennalis
Pérez, and Australian paper wasps P. humilis (Fab.) (Hymenoptera:
Vespidae) in northern New Zealand
B. KAY CLAPPERTON
PETER L. LO*
49 Margaret Avenue
Havelock North, New Zealand
*Present address: HortResearch, Hawke's Bay Research Centre,
Private Bag 1401, Havelock North, New Zealand. Email: plo@hort.cri.nz
Abstract We recorded the numbers of cells, and where possible
distinguished between cells containing pupating larvae and vacated cells, from
585 paper wasp nests from the northern North Island, New Zealand, plus nest
site characteristics of 540 of these nests. Nests of Polistes chinensis
antennalis and P. humilis developed at similar rates in early
summer. P. c. antennalis nests were larger at the Post-emergence stage
than those of P. humilis, and contained more vacated cells but less
capped cells. All of the P. c. antennalis nests had reached the
Post-emergence stage by February in Northland, but not in the other regions.
P. c. antennalis nests in the Post-emergence stage were larger in
Northland than further south, and contained the most capped or vacated cells.
Nests of both species were usually found in northern-facing sites. Substrate
did not affect nest size. Differences between the species in nest sites
included greater use of manmade structures by P. c. antennalis; the use
of leaves by P. humilis only; and a higher average nest site height in
P. humilis. These differences in nest site selection may reduce
competition between the species.
Keywords Polistes chinensis antennalis; Polistes
humilis; nest size; brood production; nest site
Z99007
Received 3 March 1999; accepted 27 March 2000
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (557K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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