Polybia emaciata

Polybia emaciata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Subfamily: Polistinae
Tribe: Epiponini
Genus: Polybia
Species:
P. emaciata
Binomial name
Polybia emaciata
Lucas, 1879

Polybia emaciata is a Neotropical swarm founding wasp that is mainly found in South America. This eusocial species has a unique colony structure in which multiple queens are present. Workers and queens are not morphologically distinct, but the high amount of relatedness maintained in the colony ensures that workers police each other. Polybia emaciata relies on a diet of liquid nectars which is supplemented with prey insects, particularly flies.[1] It is well known for being one of only three wasp species in the genus Polybia that uses mud as the primary material for building its nest.[2] Polybia emaciata is one of the least aggressive wasp species in the genus Polybia, and is known for its distinctive defensive behavior.

  1. ^ López G., Yeison; Hernández D., John; Caraballo, Pedro (December 2013). "Foraging activity of the social wasp Polybia emaciata (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae)". Revista Colombiana de Entomología. 39 (2): 250–255. doi:10.25100/socolen.v39i2.8245.
  2. ^ "Polybia emaciata". Retrieved 2014-10-14.