Skip to main content
Log in

Chemical mate recognition and release of male sexual behavior in polybiine wasp,Belonogaster petiolata (Degeer) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The results of bioassays using freshly killed gynes ofBelonogaster petiolata (Degeer) and hexane extracts of their tagmata and abdominal glands provide evidence for the existence of chemical signals in the venom, thorax, and head of gynes that serve as mate recognition cues and releasers of copulatory behavior in conspecific males. Attraction of males to the source of the chemicals occurs over short distances (a few centimeters).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akre, R.D., Reed, H.C., andLandolt, P.J. 1982. Nesting biology and behavior of the black-jacket,Vespula consobrina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 55:373–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batra, S.W.T. 1980. Sexual behavior and pheromones of the European hornet,Vespa crabro germana (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 53:461–469.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ikan, R., Gottlieb, R., Bergmann, E.D., andIshay, J. 1969. The pheromone of the Oriental hornet,Vespa orientalis.J. Insect Physiol. 15:1709–1712.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeanne, R.L. 1981. Alarm recruitment, attack behavior, and the role of the alarm pheromone inPolybia occidentalis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 9:143–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeanne, R.L. 1982. Evidence for an alarm substance inPolistes canadensis.Experientia 38:329–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasuya, E. 1981. Male mating territory in a Japanese paper wasp,Polistes jadwigae Dalla Torre (Hymenoptera, Vespidae).Kontyû Tokyo 49:607–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N. 1972. Territorial behavior among males of the social waspPolistes exclamons Viereck (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 74:148–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, J.F., Akre, R.D., andHill, W.B. 1974. Comparative biology and behavior ofVespula atropilosa andV. pensylvanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Melanderia 18:1–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maschwitz, U. 1964. Gefahrenalarmstoffe und Gefahrenalarmierung bei sozialen Hymenopteren.Z. Vergl. Physiol. 47:596–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maschwitz, U. 1984. Alarm pheromone in the long-cheeked wasp,Dolichovespula saxonica (Hym. Vespidae).Dtsch. Entomol. Z. 31:33–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, D.C. 1980. Observations on male behavior of the eastern yellow jacket,Vespula maculifrons (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Entomol. News 91:113–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, D.C., andJeanne, R.L. 1983a. Venom: Source of a sex pheromone in the social waspPolistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 9:259–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, D.C., andJeanne, R.L. 1983b. Male reproductive behavior of the social waspPolistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Z. Tierpsychol. 62:157–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, D.C., andJeanne, R.L. 1984a. Venom as an interspecific sex pheromone, and species recognition by a cuticular pheromone in paper wasps (Polistes, Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Physiol. Entomol. 9:65–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, D.C., andJeanne, R.L. 1984b. Recognition of conspecifics and sex by territorial males of the social waspPolistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Behaviour 91:78–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, D.C., Downing, H.A., andJeanne, R.L. 1984a. Alarm response to venom by social waspsPolistes exclamans andP. fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 10:1425–1433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, D.C., Mohamed, M.A., Coppel, H.C., andJeanne, R.L. 1984b. Identification of ant repellent allomone produced by social waspPolistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 10:1799–1807.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, K.G. 1983. Laboratory studies of the mating biology of the eastern yellowjacket,Vespula maculifrons (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 56:523–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandeman, R.D. 1938. The swarming of the males ofVespula sylvestris (Scop.) around a queen.Proc. R. Entomol. Soc. London Ser. A 13:87–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, C.R. 1960. The European wasp (Vespula germanica) in New Zealand.N.Z. Dept. Sci. Ind. Res. Inf. Ser. 17:1–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turillazzi, S., andCervo, R. 1982. Territorial behavior in males ofPolistes nimpha (Christ) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae).Z. Tierpsychol. 58:174–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veith, H.J., andKoeniger, N. 1978. Identifiziering voncis-9-Pentacosen als Ausloser fur das Warmen der Brut bei der Hornisse.Naturwissenschaften 65:263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veith, H.J., Koeniger, N., andMaschwitz, U. 1984. 2-Methyl-3-butene-2-ol, a major component of the alarm pheromone of the hornetVespa crabro.Naturwissenschaften 71:328–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, J.W., Ayorinde, F.O., Greene, A., andDuffield, R.M. 1982. Citronellyl citronellate and citronellyl geranate in the European hornet,Vespa crabro (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).Tetrahedron Lett. 23:2071–2072.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Keeping, M.G., Lipschitz, D. & Crewe, R.M. Chemical mate recognition and release of male sexual behavior in polybiine wasp,Belonogaster petiolata (Degeer) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). J Chem Ecol 12, 773–779 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01012109

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01012109

Key words

Navigation