RUBBING BEHAVIOUR IN SOME EUROPEAN POLISTES (HYMENOPTERA VESPIDAE)

SUMMARY The periodic rubbing of the nest pedicel with the terminal gastral sternite, observed in Mischocyttarus drewseni Saussure (JEANNE, 1970), Belonogaster griseus (Fab.) (MARINO PICCIOLI & PARDI, 1970) and Polistes annularis (L.) (HERMANN & DIRKS, 1974), has now been recorded in the European Polistes gallicus (L.), P. foederatus (Kohl) and P. nimpha Christ (Hymenoptera Vespidae). An ant repellent is smeared on the nest pedicel during this movement which the European Polistes perform—together with other defense patterns—not only in the presence of ants but also in response to small amounts of chemical irritants (formic acid, acetic acid). The secretion, applicated by means of the Van der Vecht's organ (VAN DER VECHT, 1968), effectively repels ants which normally prey on the nests of Polistes. Tested on glass capillary tubes, the repellent loses its effect between 2 and 4 hr after application. There is no connection between rubbing and hierarchy among associated females on polygynic spring nests of P. g...