Notes on the biology, social behaviour and nest architecture of metischnogaster drewseni (Saussure) (Hymenoptera, stenogastrinae)

Abstract

Metischnogaster drewseni is a rare stenogastrine wasp which builds long nests suspended on aerial horse‐hair‐like fungal rhizomorphs. The nests have a maximum of 10 cells, each attached to the lower end of the one above. They are highly mimetic and provided with a conical structure placed above the row of cells, which prevents rain drops from trickling along the suspension and making the nest wet. Behavioural and biological characteristics are similar to those of other genera of Stenogastrinae; a particular form of nest defence is well adapted to the peculiar nest architecture. The level of social behaviour is the lowest in the subfamily, and is constrained by the highly mimetic nest architecture. © 1990 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.