COMPORTAMENTO SOCIAL EM VESPAS DA FAMÍLIA SPHEClDAE (HYMENOPTERA, APOlDEACOMPORT AMENTO SOCIAL EM VESPAS DA FAMiLIA SPHEClDAE (HYMENOPTERA, APOlDEA)
Abstract
Nest-sharing behavior has evolved several times independently among sphecid wasps. Most known cases of multifemale nests are concentrated in the Crabronini, Pemphredonini, Trypoxylini and Philanthinae. Unpublished data on additional species, particularly pernphredoniÂnes, are also presented. Putative parasitic species of Microstigmus and male with fighting morphoÂlogy in a social Spilomena species are reported far the first time. The subtribe Spilomenina (Pemphredonini) stands out for containing species exhibiting the most complex social organization among sphecids Except for the absence of very large colonies and of groups like the tribes Apini and Meliponini with highly organized societies, sphecid wasps can be considered similar to bees regarding their social behavior. The conditions and processes involved in the formation of groups (nest-sharing behavior) and possible forces maintaining those associations are discussed.
