Reproductive Status of the social wasp Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

A fundamental feature in the evolution of social insects is the separation of castes, and the presence of wide differentiation between castes indicates a more advanced degree of sociability. In this study, we evaluated factors that indicate the reproductive status of females in colonies of the social wasp Polistes versicolor. The reproductive status of each female was examined by measuring nine morphometric characters, by the cuticular chemical profile, insemination and by her relative age. We conclude that in P. versicolor colonies there are 3 female groups that show cuticular chemical profile difference. The first group belong to females with ovarioles filamentous, typical of workers; the second is females with ovarioles intermediates; and the third is a group of queens, which are older females, inseminated and with greater degree of ovarian development found among all females. On the other hand, there was no significant morphological differences between these female groups. Therefore, although no significant morphological differences among females there are other factors such as the cuticular chemical composition that is an indicative of reproductive physiological condition of female in the colony.