Title
Poor Odors, Strength, and Persistence Give Their Rewards to Mutilla europaea Visiting Dangerous Wasp Nests
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2013
Department
College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Abstract
Social insect colonies are attractive for many arthropods. The rare velvet ant, Mutilla europaea, visit colonies of Polistes wasps, but to date it was unclear which resources it targeted therein. Our field observations and bioassays showed that velvet ants visit the colonies of the social wasp Polistes biglumis almost undisturbed and may feed on larval wasp saliva. Chemical insignificance and resistance are the characteristics that allow velvet ants to visit unharmed wasp colonies and gain such a nutritious reward.
Publication Title
Journal of Insect Behavior
Recommended Citation
Uboni, A.,
&
Lorenzi, M.
(2013).
Poor Odors, Strength, and Persistence Give Their Rewards to Mutilla europaea Visiting Dangerous Wasp Nests.
Journal of Insect Behavior,
26(2), 246-252.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-012-9362-4
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/4945