Camouflaged nests of Mischocyttarus mirificus (Zikán, 1935) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Abstract

The social wasps present varied architectural patterns for their nests, which may differ in shape, size, color and material used on its construction. In Mischocyttarus mirificus nests, comb pattern consists in vertical, single-cell wide combs in a filiform shape, which allows for camouflaging nests amidst their substrate. The objective of this study was to investigate the species’ nesting habits and colony productivity, and to quantify its ability to camouflage. A total of 40 colonies were analyzed in their natural habitat, and six of which were dissected in the laboratory to verify nesting habits and productivity. Images taken from the nests in natura were used to quantify their camouflage potential in contrast to the nesting substrate. Colonies were found mainly in riparian forests with availability of landscape elements that facilitated their camouflage. According to the image analysis, the camouflage level can vary according to the position from which the images are captured. The productivity of M. mirificus also varied in some aspects when compared with other species of the group. Is evident that the founders of M. mirificus select sites where they can camouflage their colonies, and this gives them advantages in exploring novel environments. Although row colonies are an energetically costly architectural alternative, M. mirificus presents productivity similar to that of other species of the genus.