Resource storage in the neotropical social wasp mischocyttarus socialis (Saussure, 1854) (Vespidae: Polistini)

Abstract

Like other Hymenoptera, the social wasps may store both liquid and solid resources inside the cells of their nests as reserve for periods of food shortage. This study describes storage of honey in colonies of the neotropical independent-founding wasp Mischocyttarus socialis. During August 2016, in the dry season, 15 colonies in the post-emergence phase were recorded at the botanical garden of Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora in southwestern of Brazil. Five of the colonies showed honey stored inside empty and immature (eggs) cells. The presence of these two patterns for this species suggests that the storage behavior may be a short-term strategy to feed larvae as soon as they emerge and also a long-term storage to complement population diet during food shortages.