Nest-founding paper wasps aggregate in "social leks" and decrease aggression during partner selection
Emily C Laub1, Maxwell C Ewing1, Erin R Baldwin1
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California-Los Angeles, 310 La Kretz Botany Building, Los Angeles 90095, USA.
Current Zoology
|May 28, 2026
Summary
Social paper wasps (Polistes fuscatus) form cooperative groups. During nest founding, these wasps engage in partner sampling, forming aggregations that resemble social leks with aggressive interactions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Social Insects
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Animal group success depends on individual and partner traits.
- Social animals invest time in assessing potential partners.
- Understanding partner selection is key to social group dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate partner sampling and social group formation in Polistes fuscatus paper wasps.
- To quantify wasp behavior during the pre-nest foundation period.
- To determine if wasp partner selection resembles lekking behavior.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of Polistes fuscatus behavior.
- Quantification of wasp interactions during partner sampling using day censuses.
- Analysis of aggressive behaviors and aggregation patterns.
Main Results:
- Paper wasps aggregated in specific locations without resources, forming "social leks."
- Aggressive interactions were observed, with higher intensity early in the sampling period.
- Wasp behavior indicated a period of partner selection prior to nest foundation.
Conclusions:
- Polistes fuscatus exhibit a distinct partner sampling phase before nest founding.
- The observed behaviors are consistent with lekking, a mating strategy.
- This study highlights the significant investment in partner assessment by social wasps.
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