Nesting habits and nest symbionts of <i>Polistes erythrocephalus</i> Latreille (Hymenoptera Vespidae) in Costa Rica

Abstract

Observations of nest size, shape, and habitat of Polistes erythrocephalus Latreille were made during the months of February and March, 1967, in Costa Rica. Eighteen abandoned nests and 31 active nests were examined. Two paras­ ites, the ichneumonid Pachysomoides stupida (Cresson) and an unidentified phycitid moth, were reared from the nests. A mud-daubing sphecid, several species of spiders, and members of the psocid genus Liposcelis were found in the abandoned nests. Several unidentified microlepidoptera larvae were also observed feeding on detritus in the nests.