Nestmate discrimination in social wasps: The role of exposure to nest and nestmates (Polistes fuscatus,Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Summary In the laboratory, gynes (potential queens) of the paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, exposed to both their natal nest and female nestmates (presumably their sisters) discriminate between female nestmates and unrelated females. However, gynes not exposed to their natal nest or conspecifics and gynes exposed only to female nestmates do not discriminate between female nestmates and unrelated females. Thus, the presence of the nest appears to be a requisite for the development of nestmate discrimination.