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Endothermic warm‐up in two species of sphecid wasp and its relation to behaviour
Author(s) -
GHAZOUL J.,
WILLMER P. G.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1994.tb01082.x
Subject(s) - biology , sphecidae , hymenoptera , parasitism , foraging , ecology , nectar , zoology , predation , host (biology) , pollen
. The ability of two sphecid wasps, Bembix rostrata and B.zonata (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), to warm up endothermically is demonstrated under laboratory conditions. Mean warm‐up rates of B.rostrata are comparable to bees of similar weight. Despite endothermic ability, field observations reveal that B.rostrata are not active below 22d̀C. From observations at the nectar‐foraging site (clumps of Thymus vulgaris flowers) it is calculated that the energy resources available to wasps are sufficient to power endothermic warm‐up at low temperatures. Alternative explanations for the absence of wasp activity at low temperatures, such as the risk of parasitism, are suggested. Endothermy may be used periodically to increase flight efficiency in response to added load, such as prey carried by females, and mates by males.