Notes on the biology of Po/istes (Epicnemius) subsericeus Saussure, 1854 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Giannottr, Edilberto

Ninenests ofPolistes subsericeuswere studied in field conditions from July 1988 to November 1989, in Rio Claro, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. Their little nests (maximum of 106 cells) were built under the thorny leaves of Pandanus veitchi(Pandanaceae), in hidden sites, and have only some few individuais (maximum 16wasps). The nest architectu rewas particularly described. Colonial productivity and aggressive behavior seemed more to Mischocyttarus species than those of Polistesalready studied. keywords: Polístes, Vespidae, nesting, nest architecture, colonial productivity.