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Absence of chemical alarm in a primitively eusocial wasp (Belonogaster petiolata, Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

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Summary

The hypothesis thatBelonogaster petiolata (fam. Vespidae) is able to communicate alarm chemically, using odours released with the venom, was tested in bioassays involving presentation of artificial targets to a wasp colony, simultaneously with crushed venom apparatuses. The odour of venom did not lower the threshold of attack and visual stimuli alone (particularly a black, moving object) were sufficient to release attack. Venom odour on a previously stung target probably does not play a role in focusing further attacks on such a target. The results therefore support the null hypothesis that a venom-based alarm pheromone is absent in this species.

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Author notes

  1. M. G. Keeping

    Present address: Entomology Department, South African Sugar Association Experiment Station, Private Bag X02, 4300, Mt. Edgecombe, South Africa

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    M. G. Keeping

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  1. M. G. Keeping
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Keeping, M.G. Absence of chemical alarm in a primitively eusocial wasp (Belonogaster petiolata, Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Ins. Soc 42, 317–320 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240426

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240426

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