Timing of insemination in terms of age of new reproductive females of a temperate-zone polistine wasp,Polistes snelleni (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

The present study investigated the age at which insemination takes place in Polistes snelleni, a species in which mating begins while new reproductives are still emerging from the nest. Insemination of new reproductive females began as early as 5 days of age, and most females were inseminated by 10 days of age.