INTRA AND INTER-SPECIFIC RELATIONSHIPS IN A CLUSTER OF STENOGASTRINE WASP COLONIES (HYMENOPTERA VESPIDAE)

The behaviour of females belonging to various colonies of Parischnogas ter alternata of a nest cluster recently completely destroyed and reco nstructed, was observed and described. Behaviours included fights duri ng attempts to land on alien nests and foundations and the stealing of abdominal secretion placed on eggs, of the eggs themselves and of nes t material. Egg deposition by females of Liostenogaster flavolineata i n P. alternata nests and interspecific duels are described for the fir st time.