A METHOD OF CAPTURING COLONIES OF AERIAL NESTING VESPID WASPS (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE)

Abstract
A method was developed for the transfer of intact medium-sized Dolichovespula arenaria colonies from their original locations, without damage to the nest and with minimal narcosis of the adult wasp population. The method necessitates a substantial manipulation early in the course of colony development, after which the nest is left to develop normally in situ until it is sufficiently populous to permit tranfer to a new location without intolerable loss of adult insects. We describe also a system for housing vespid colonies following relocation, together with a one-way tunnel system which has proved efficient for the purpose of collecting data on foraging activity.

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