Morphological caste differences in the neotropical swarm-founding polistine wasp, Brachygastra lecheguana (Hymenoptera : Vespidae, Polistinae, Epiponini)

Morphological caste differences and ovary conditions were analyzed in colon y of Brachygastra lecheguana. The results indicate the presence of individu als with ovary development but uninseminated (intermediates). In addition, these females were similar in morphology to workers, suggesting that, in th is case, intermediates are ovary-developed workers. Queens were morphologic ally larger than workers and intermediates in some characters and smaller i n others. Multivariate analysis showed that queens were highly distinct. Th ese results indicate that castes are pre-imaginally determined in B. lecheg uana.