A Technique for Transferring Nests of Polybia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Epiponini) Wasps in Anthropized Environment

Abstract

Social wasps are model organisms in studies related to evolution and social behavior origin. They show high degree of sinanthropism and due to their feeding habits, they play important ecological roles. However, wasps are considered dangerous, hence their nests are destroyed by humans. The aim of this study was to develop a technique for transferring the nests of some Polybia (Lepeletier, 1836) species located in human constructions to protected places. Nests were removed in the morning blowing ether into the nest entrance and closing them with cotton. They were separatedfrom the substrate with a spatula. Nests were immediately attached to the new substrate with hot silicone glue and installed in the new place. Transferred nests were monitored for one month to verify the efficiency of the technique. Following the transference, individuals kept foraging and repairing/constructing new cells. Workers performing colony tasks are evidence that the technique was efficient and that the colony was adapted to the new local.