Summary
In summer, males of Polistes dominulus form large aggregations at sunny landmarks. We identified two size-correlated behavioural categories: residents (R) and transient (T). R males, which constitute 20%–25% of the total population, are larger than T males, territorial, aggressive, and more site-faithful, while T males range more widely, are non-aggressive, and show little site tenacity. Field and laboratory data suggest that R males have an advantage in mating, particularly if they engage in frequent flights while on their territories. These alternative mating tactics within the same population are combined with behavioural flexibility in some individuals, which switch from one option to the other.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alcock J (1975) Territorial behavior by males of Philantus multimaculatus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) with a review of territoriality in male sphecids. Anim Behav 23:889–895
Alcock J (1978) Notes on male mate-locating behaviour in some bees and wasps of Arizona. Pan-Pacif Ent 54:215–225
Alcock J (1983) Consistency in the relative attractiveness of a set of landmark territorial sites to two generations of male tarantula nawk wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Anim Behav 31:74–80
Alcock J, Schaefer JE (1983) Hilltop territoriality in a Sonoran desert bot fly (Diptera:Cuterebridae). Anim Behav 31:518–525
Alcock J, Eickwort GC, Eickwort KR (1977) The reproductive behavior of Anthidium maculosum (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) and the evolutionary significance of multiple copulations by females. Behav Ecol Sociobil 2:385–396
Beani L, Turillazzi S (1984) Strategie riproduttive dei maschi di Polistes gallicus e Polistes foederatus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Boll Zool 51:9
Beani L, Cervo R, Turillazzi S (1986) Territorial and patrolling males of three European Polistes wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). In: Eder J, Rembold H (eds) Abs 10 th Int Congress IUSSI, Müchen, 188 p
Bradbury JW (1981) The evolution of leks. In: Alexander RD, Tinkle DW (eds) Natural selection and social behavior: recent research and theory. Chiron Press, New York, pp 138–169
Day M (1979) The species of Hymenoptera described by Linnaeus in the genera Sphex Chrysis, Vespa, Apis, and Mutilla. Biological J Linn Soc 12 (1):45–84
Dawkins R (1980) Good strategy or evolutionarily stable strategy? In: Barlow GW, Silverberg J (eds) Sociobiology: beyond nature/nurture? Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, pp 331–367
Di Stefano SL (1972) Inconsuete sciamature autunnali di maschi di Polistes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Atti IX Congr Naz Ital Ent, pp 59–64
Eberhard WG (1985) Female discretion after genitalic contact. In: Sexual selection and animal genitalia. Harvard Univ Press, Cambridge Massachusetts London, pp 107–119
Emlen S, Oring L (1977) Ecology, sexual selection, and the evolution of mating systems. Science 197:215–223
Evans HE, West Eberhard MJ (1970) The wasps. Univ Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, pp 1–266
Kasuya E (1981) Male mating territory in a japanese paper wasp, Polistes jadwigae Dalla Torre (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Kontyu, Tokyo, 49 (4):607–614
Larch CM, Gamboa GJ (1981) Investigation of mating preference for nestmates in the paper wasp Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). J Kansas Entomol Soc 54(4):811–814
Lin N (1972) Territorial behavior among males of the social wasp Polistes exclamans Viereck. Proc Ent Soc Wash 74:148–155
Matthes-Sears W, Alcock J (1986) Hiltopping behavior of Polistes commanchus navajoe (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Ethology 71:42–53
Marshall LD, Alcock J (1981) The evolution of the mating system of the Carpenter bee Xylocopa varipuncta (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae). J Zool Lond 193:315–324
Noonan KM (1978) Sex ratio of parental investment in colonies of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus. Science 199:1354–1356
Pardi L (1943) Ricerche sui Polistini. VI. Sulla sproporzione numerica dei sessi nei nidi dei Polistini. Atti della Societa' Toscana di Scienze Naturali. LII (2):3–9
Post DC, Jeanne RL (1983a) Relatedness and mate selection in Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Anim Behav 31:1260–1261
Post DC, Jeanne RL (1983b) Male reproductive behaviour of the social wasp Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Z Tierpsychol 62:157–171
Thornhill R, Alcock J (1983) The evolution of insect mating systems. Harvard Univ Press, Cambridge Massachusetts London, pp 1–547
Turillazzi S (1980) Seasonal variations in the size and anatomy of Polistes gallicus (L.) (Hymenoptera Vespidae). Monit Zool Ital (NS) 14:63–75
Turillazzi S, Cervo R (1982) Territorial behaviour in males of P. nimpha (Christ) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Z Tierpsychol 58:174–180
Turillazzi S, Beani L (1985) Mating behaviour in the paper wasp Polistes gallicus (L.) (Hymenoptera Polistinae). Monit Zool It (NS) 19:169–170
Verhoeff C (1895) Beitrag zur Biologie von Polistes. Ent Nachr 21:221
Wenzel JW (1987) Male reproductive behavior and mandibular glands in Polistes major (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Insect Soc 34:44–57
West Eberhard MJ (1969) The social biology of polistine wasps. Misc Publ Mus Zool Univ Mich 140:1–101
Yoshikawa K (1963) Introductory studies on the life enonomy of polistine wasps. V. Three stages relating to hibernation. J Biol Osaka City Univ 14:87–96
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Beani, L., Turillazzi, S. Alternative mating tactics in males of Polistes dominulus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 22, 257–264 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299840
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299840