Division of labor among workers ofPolistes metricus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): Laboratory foraging activities

Abstract

Division of labor in foraging activities of workers was studied in laboratory colonies ofPolistes metricus. Individual foraging activity was strongly affected by the foraging activities of nestmates. Usually the oldest worker of a colony became the principal forager. Other workers, in the presence of an active forager, did relatively little foraging regardless of age. Relatively inactive workers showed increased foraging rates when the older, active foragers were either removed or became less active with age, or when colony needs were greater (as evidenced by a marked rise in larval numbers). There was no temporal change in distribution of foraging tasks. The only indication of permanent task specialization was for paper collecting. All workers foraged for prey, water and honey but collection of paper was confined almost exclusively to the oldest workers of the colony.