Nest camouflage in Metapolybia cingulata and nesting and colony defensive behavior in Metapolybia docilis (Vespidae: Polistinae) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Colony defense by social wasps includes aggressive behavior and camouflage with a high diversity of adaptation of their nests to the environment, including substrate choice. The objective of this study was to present new data on nesting and colony defense by the Neotropical social wasps Metapolybia cingulata and Metapolybia docilis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Field observations were made on January 4th and 5th, 2022 at the State Park of Iguaçu, state of Paraná, Brazil, on M. cingulata and M. docilis nests and information on nesting of these wasps obtained in 2014 at the Pandeiros River Wildlife Refuge (REVIS), and in 2012 at the Rio Doce State Park, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The types of substrates used by M. cingulata and M. docilis reinforce the importance of nest camouflage as a defense strategy for their colonies. The selection of nesting sites by these species was very variable.