Nestmate Recognition between Males and Gynes of the Social Wasp Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

In the laboratory, Polistes fuscatus (F.) males and gynes from the same colony (i.e., nestmates) are significantly more tolerant of each other and copulate significantly less often than unrelated males and gynes. Interactions between a male and a gyne are affected by a gyne's previous exposure to male nestmates.