| Popis: |
Colony development and reproductive success of Polistes biglumis (Linnaeus 1758) colonies in the French Alps at a height ranging from 750-1.500 m NN were studied on non-parasitized nests and on nests that had been occupied by the social parasite Sulcopolistes atrimandibularis (Zimmermann 1930). On an average, Polistes foundresses had less offspring in parasitized than in non-parasitized nests. Parasitized nests, however, had a higher survival rate. The numbers of offspring were varying between several years, probably depending on different weather influence. Besides, predators and parasitoids had a strong pressure on the population. |
