Summary
Although only preliminary results are given, they are sufficient to draw attention to the diversity of the autumnal populations of wasps' nests, whether in respect of the proportions of the larvae and adults, or of the castes and sexes. This diversity is demonstrated by observations made on similar nests, and is also shown by the parasite population.
Notwithstanding some taxonomic difficulties, a brief account of the distribution of a larval mermithid, parasitic in several species of social wasp, is presented. These worms occur but rarely in the males and workers, although sporadically they may attain considerable rates of infestation in the virgin queens.
Sommaire
Bien que des résultats de caractère préliminaire seulement soient donnés, ceux-ci suffisent à faire ressortir la diversité de la population automnale des guêpiers. Cette diversité se manifeste soit par la proportion des castes et des sexes observée à l'état de larve ou d'adulte dans des guêpiers semblables, soit par la population des parasites.
On a noté dans plusieurs espèces de guêpes sociales la présence, à l'état larvaire, d'un helminthe parasite, bien que sa taxonomie soit difficile. Ce ver ne se trouve que rarement dans les mâles et les ouvrières; il atteint parfois un pourcentage considérable de parasitisme dans les reines vierges.
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Blackith, R.E., Stevenson, J.H. Autumnal populations of Wasps nests. Ins. Soc 5, 347–352 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02226851
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02226851