Summary
The hypothesis thatBelonogaster petiolata (fam. Vespidae) is able to communicate alarm chemically, using odours released with the venom, was tested in bioassays involving presentation of artificial targets to a wasp colony, simultaneously with crushed venom apparatuses. The odour of venom did not lower the threshold of attack and visual stimuli alone (particularly a black, moving object) were sufficient to release attack. Venom odour on a previously stung target probably does not play a role in focusing further attacks on such a target. The results therefore support the null hypothesis that a venom-based alarm pheromone is absent in this species.
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Keeping, M.G. Absence of chemical alarm in a primitively eusocial wasp (Belonogaster petiolata, Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Ins. Soc 42, 317–320 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240426
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01240426