Desenvolvimento pós-embrionário, oofagia e relação entre as interações de dominância e a atividade forrageadora na vespa social Mischocyttarus cassununga (von Ihering, 1903) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Abstract

The social wasp Mischocyttarus cassununga occurs in the southeast of Brazil, Bahia and Santa Catarina and presents independent foundation, by means of an inseminated female or an association of them, where individuals' social function determined by dominance interactions. The aim of this work was to characterize the development of the immature stages and to analyze oophagy occurrence during the pre and post-emergency phases and its relation with the climatic factors, besides to identify and to relate dominance interactions with the foraging activity and to verify the α female participation in foraging activities control of M. cassununga in the pre and post-emergency phases in antropized environment. The study was accomplished in Juiz de Fora from july/2008 to june/2009, through weekly mappings in 60 colonies and of 150h of videotape in five colonies. The average duration of the immature stages in the pre and post-emergency phases went of 13,2 ±4,2 (6-24) and 14,4 ±5,2 (6-28) days for egg, 34,8 ±11,9 (15-69) and 32,2 ±7,7 (18-55) for larvae and 17,4 ±6 (7-29) and 18,5 ±5,3 (6-29) for pupae, respectively. There was no difference on the duration among development phases and seasons. The average registered of the egg phase until the adult emergency belonged to 65 days. There was more oophagy in pre than in post-emergence (x2=11,852; P=0,007) and difference for the reason between oophagy/cells (U=58; P=0,023). There was more oophagy at the rainy season (x2=53,878; P<0,001). For etogram, there were described five dominance acts and four of subordination. The α female remained in the first rank position, with dominance behaviors larger frequency in the pre (U=3; P=0,047) and in the post (U=3; P=0,047). There was correspondence between Dominance's Index and Matrix in 4 of the 5 colonies for the α female position that joined less of the foraging activities than the others in the pre (x2=63,131; P<0,001) and in the post (x2=51,882; P<0,001). The exits were influenced by the α female in the pre (x2=10,652; P=0,001) and in the post (x2=52,509; P<0,001). The numbers of returns originating of foragers exits with carbohydrate collection was superior to the others resources in the post (x2=38; P<0,001) and the α female had participation in all returns with resources. They were identified foragers different routes to the return to the colony with resources collected in the forage. Therefore, It was verified that the α female induces the foragers exits and controls them returns to the colony.