Task allocation and interactions among females in Euglossa carolina nests (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossini)

Multifemale nests of Euglossa carolina were studied to investigate task allocation during nest reactivations according to both the females’ size and order of emergence. The study was carried out at the campus of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, from January, 1990 to March, 1992. The activities of the females were recorded during the reactivation processes in eight nests maintained in observation boxes. The size of each female was determined by measuring the forewing length and the maximum width of the head. Nest reactivations were performed by one or more females in the presence or absence of a female that had participated in a previous reactivation process. Usually, the first emerging females remained in the nests and established associations in which the oldest became dominant. All nestmates had mated, and developed ovaries and did not differ in size. Task allocation was recognized by behavioral characteristics, namely, agonism and oophagy in cells oviposited by other females.

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