Ropalidia revolutionalis
| Ropalidia revolutionalis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Genus: | Ropalidia |
| Species: | R. revolutionalis |
| Binomial name | |
|
Ropalidia revolutionalis (Saussure, 1853) |
|
Ropalidia revolutionalis Ropalidia revolutionalis, the small brown paper wasp, is a diurnal social wasp of the family Vespidae. They are known for the distinctive combs they make for their nests, and they are mostly found in Queensland, Australia in the areas of Brisbane and Townsville. They are an independent founding wasp species, and they build new nests each spring. They can be helpful because they control insect pests in gardens. However, if threatened, they will sting humans and cause large amounts of pain.
Ropalidia revolutionalis were first classified by Henri Louis Frédéric de Saussure in 1853. They are part of the Polistine tribe Ropalidiini, which includes paper wasps in the Australasian region, specifically in the Lesser Sunda Islands and the northern regions of Australia. They are also part of the genus Ropalidia, which is the only genus that contains both swarm-founding and independent founding wasp species.
R. revolutionalis are small, dark, reddish brown wasps with body lengths of 8 to 10 mm. When viewed closely, they have remarkable patterns on their bodies, and they have eyes with multiple lenses. They are slightly smaller than species from the family of Polistes. This is because their abdomens have a segment after the waist that is slimmer than the following segment. Although these wasps are not considered especially aggressive, they will sting if their nests are disturbed.
Also known as the Stick-Nest Paper Wasp, the nests of the R. revolutionalis consist of several combs each about 100 mm long with two columns of cells that resemble sticks hanging from a branch. Their nests are usually found on shrubs, hanging baskets, under eaves, or near other sheltered areas. These wasps are found mainly in south-eastern to northern Queensland, Australia.
Ropalidia revolutionalis is an independent-founding wasp species that begins building nests each spring. Each nest is founded by a small association of females that begin by creating a single comb. During this pre-emergence stage, the number of egg-laying females decreases to only one being present in the nest (haplometrosis). However, after the emergence of the first progeny of adults, the females create smaller combs alongside the largest comb, and more potential egg-layers join the colony as the construction progresses (pleometrosis). The progeny join the adults in taking care of the nests. Near the end of summer, the queen produces both male wasps and fertile female wasps. These progeny then mate with wasps from other colonies, and then the females find secure locations in which they can reside during the winter. At this point, the colonies begin to deteriorate, and the females start their own colonies the following spring.
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Wikipedia