The Relationship between Phenotypic Variability in Future Foundresses of Polistes nimpha (Christ) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae) and Infestation of Their Larvae by the Mite Sphexicozela connivens Mahunka (Aeari, Astigmata, Winterschmidtiidae)

摘要

The mites Sphexicozela connivens infesting the larvae of the future foundresses of Polistes nimpha have been shown to affect their size and the melanin pattern of some body parts. Foundresses reared in the infested environment have shorter wings and paler variants of metasomal sternite IV, The role of such morphotypes in the formation of Polistes nimpha population is discussed.