THE EFFECTS OF SEASONALITY ON THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF MICROSTIGMUS COMES (HYMENOPTERA, SPHECIDAE) IN COSTA-RICA

Dry season nesting activity of the eusocial sphecid wasp Microstigmus comes (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) was compared between two sites in Costa Rica with marked differences in wet/dry seasonality. No significant d ifferences were found in the number of cells/nest or distribution of c ell content categories between Corcovado National Park, a site with a pronounced dry season, and La Selva Biological Station, a site that is less seasonal. Thus, data indicate that relative dry season intensity may not affect the nesting activity of this species.