Reproductive Status of the social wasp Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Abstract

A fundamental feature in the evolution of social insects is the separation of castes, and the presence of wide differentiation between castes indicates a more advanced degree of sociability. In this study, we evaluated factors indicating the reproductive status of females in colonies of the social wasp Polistes versicolor. The reproductive status of each female was examined by measuring nine morphometric characters, by tracing the cuticular chemical profile, by evidence of insemination and by recording the relative age. We conclude that P. versicolor colonies present 3 female groups according to cuticular chemical profile difference. The first group is made of females with filamentous ovarioles, typical of workers; the second one is females with intermediate ovarioles; and the third group is the group of the queens, which are older females, already inseminated and with the greatest degree of ovarian development. No significant external morphological differences were found among these female groups. Therefore, despite the lack of significant morphological differences among females, there are other factors such as the chemical composition of the cuticula, which are indicative of the reproductive physiological condition of the female in the colony.