Microstigmus comes Wasps have a Method of Nest Construction Unique Among Social Insects

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Abstract
As many as 6 females of the Neotropical wasp, M. comes, cooperate to gather and silk a single ball of material derived from the underside of fronds of the host palm, Chryosophila guagara. They mold this into a bag, then lower it on a silked petiole which is finally given a characteristic spiral. Construction averaged 36.8 h of working time performed over 4 days. Orphaned wasps initiated new nests on their original host plant 75% of the time. Heavy rain and winds destroyed 28.6% of newly established units.

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