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A mandible arresting system in neotropical social wasps (Vespidae; Polistinae): structural diversity within homogeneous functionality

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Abstract

Microtrichia are epidermal protuberances that may serve as temporary adhesive devices. Several insects possess these structures; however, they have not previously been reported in social wasps. With scanning electron microscopy, we characterize the shape and abundance of microtrichia in ten species of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) and three species of related taxa (Vespidae: Eumeninae, Pompilidae, and Scoliidae). Semi-thin sections of the head of Leipomeles spilogastra and Apoica albimacula were also studied. We found microtrichia on a thin, flexible membrane connected to the mandible in all the Vespidae specimens. The flexible membrane can be divided into three regions: the basal region that covers the mandibular mesial emargination, the medial region located around the height of the mandibular condyles, and the distal region that appears anterior to the apodeme folding. Basal and distal regions of the membrane are extensively covered by microtrichia while the medial region has either less microtrichia or is entirely devoid of them. The shape and density of the microtrichia differed between species, and these traits are unrelated with nest material construction or phylogenetic closeness. We propose that the microtrichial membrane described is a passive mechanism to keep the wasps’ mandibles retracted through a mechanical interlocking system. It is possible that this energy-saving mechanism is present in other mandibulate insects.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Johan Billen (Katholieke University Leuven) and Andrea Penagos (National University of Colombia) for the valuable histological sections of L. spilogastra and A. albimacula. Also to L. Vilhelmsen (University of Copenhagen), O. Silveira (Emílio Goeldi Museum of Pará), Christopher K. Starr (University of the West Indies), and the other reviewers for their useful comments. We also thank Tiffany Harwell for her advice regarding language use and Marcela Morales for line drawings. This research was supported by the grants of Colombian Society of Entomology (SOCOLEN) and the Research Division, Bogotá branch (DIB) of the National University of Colombia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia

    Sofía López-Cubillos

  2. Laboratorio de Sistemática y Biología Comparada de Insectos. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia

    Carlos E. Sarmiento

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  1. Sofía López-Cubillos
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  2. Carlos E. Sarmiento
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Correspondence to Carlos E. Sarmiento.

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Communicated by: Sven Thatje

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López-Cubillos, S., Sarmiento, C.E. A mandible arresting system in neotropical social wasps (Vespidae; Polistinae): structural diversity within homogeneous functionality. Naturwissenschaften 100, 429–435 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-013-1041-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-013-1041-6

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