NORSK ENTOMOLOGISK TIDSSKRIFT - Norsk entomologisk forening

40 Astrid Lnken
It is striking that the estimated total of about 1275 constructed
cells greatly exceeds the predicted total of about 800 produced
imagines - also when the fact was considered that cells in the
upper comb had been re-used two or three times. This is explained
by the great number of young in the cells of the outer zones of
the intermediate and lower comb; cfr. the table, fig. 2g and fig. 3i,
as this brood would not fulfil its development.
The favourable weather conditions in the Bergen area from
the end of April to near the end of June evidently gave the colony
a good start. A growing number of energetic workers was responsible
for a rapid construction of cells in the intermediate and
lower comb and it may be too rapid for the inhabitants to take
care of the young. However, more nests need to be studied to gain
information about the specific biology of this wasp. More knowledge
about social wasps in general, is also wanted for a discussion
of the dissolution of nests under varying conditions.
References
LOKEN, A. 1964: Social wasps in Norway (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). -
Norsk ent. Tidsskr. 12, Oslo.