Wasp Q

[Tleilaxu]

If I were to catch a paper wasp worker would it become a queen in I put it in a cage with an old nest? I have heard that when seperated from a queen their overaries start to grow again.

 

[Waspman]

No, it cannot suddenly produce fertile eggs unless the paper wasp had successfully mated, which can only be told through dissection.

There is no difference between queens and workers. The only difference is if one is fertilized or not. The term "foundress" is more commonly used instead of queen for this reason.

However, there can be multiple foundresses when a new nest begins, all of which are usually mated. They will eventually submit to the strongest foundress. So there is a chance of finding a mated "worker" foundress that has submitted to the strongest foundress (technically, the current queen).

 

[Tleilaxu]

I have seen male paper wasps "raping" females on flowers, would these be the queens that over winter? The matings last about a second.

 

[Waspman]

One second seems a bit fast!! I've read that it normally lasts around 20 seconds. If it lasted only about a second, it could be two confused males, a male defending his mating perch from another male, or the wasps are a different species and are not compatible mates.

I could be completely wrong though if they are indeed male and female of the same species (males have antennae that are curled at the end and yellow, squarish faces).

 

[Tleilaxu]

One second seems a bit fast!! I've read that it normally lasts around 20 seconds. If it lasted only about a second, it could be two confused males, a male defending his mating perch from another male, or the wasps are a different species and are not compatible mates.

I could be completely wrong though if they are indeed male and female of the same species (males have antennae that are curled at the end and yellow, squarish faces).

20 Seconds! I guess the females were not receptive . The males here have all the features you say females have the dark brown faces.

 

[Stylopidae]

Just catch a nest. I could probably get one for you, if you want to PM me.

 

[Tleilaxu]

Just catch a nest. I could probably get one for you, if you want to PM me.

You have been Pm'ed

 

[Stylopidae]

You have been Pm'ed

And I have replied ;P