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Social wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) foraging behavior.
1Department of Biology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866-1632, USA. mrichter@skidmore.edu
Annual Review of Entomology
|April 13, 2000
Summary
Social wasps are opportunistic predators that learn foraging sites and prey. Their behavior significantly impacts ecosystems by consuming prey and depleting resources.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Entomology
Background:
- Social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) are generalist foragers impacting ecosystems.
- Their foraging behavior is influenced by experience and social cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the foraging behavior of social wasps.
- To understand their impact on prey and ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies of wasp foraging.
- Analysis of factors influencing prey selection and resource use.
Main Results:
- Individual wasps learn to locate and return to foraging sites using odors and landmarks.
- Wasps exhibit facultative specialization based on learned associations.
- Social wasps directly consume prey and indirectly affect ecosystems through resource depletion.
Conclusions:
- Wasp foraging behavior, including learning and specialization, has significant ecological consequences.
- Understanding these impacts is crucial for managing ecosystems and predator-prey dynamics.