Laboratory Culture of Four Species of Yellowjackets, Vespula spp.1 Foundress Nest Initiation

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Abstract
Queens of four species of yellowjackets, Vespula maculifrons (Buysson), V. germanica (F.), V. vulgaris (L.), and V. vidua (Saussure), initiated and maintained nests through to worker emergence under controlled conditions. Queens of V. flavopilosa Jacobson did not initiate nests in captivity; however, they readily adopted and usurped embryo nests of V. maculifrons. Initiation dates in the laboratory did not correspond well to those in nature, indicating a degree of independence from the natural timetable. Intraspecific embryo nest adoptions were readily undertaken. V. maculifrons queens exhibited the highest initiation rate and established nests in all rearing systems used. No species produced multiple-comb nests or reproductives in the artificial environment.