Abstract
ALL social wasps belong to the family Vespidae. This family is divided into the following three sub-families: the Stenogastrinae—prevalent in South-east Asia, the Polistinae—of almost worldwide distribution, and the Vespinae—including the more socially developed forms which are encountered primarily in the Northern Hemisphere1. The comb constructed by these wasps is fastened by a pedicle to the roof of the nest2,3. In the course of the season the combs attain optimal size and acquire a spherical or elliptical shape, curving upwards at the centre, much like an inverted mushroom. The pedicles are long enough to allow clear passage of wasps from one comb to another.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Get just this article for as long as you need it
$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Richards, O. W., Biol. Rev., 46, 483–528 (1971).
Wilson, E. O., The Insect Societies (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1971).
Spradbery, I. P., Wasps (Sidgwick and Jackson, London, 1973).
Ishay, J., Insectes Soc., 11, 193–206 (1964).
Ishay, J., Bytinksi-Salz, H., and Shulov, A., Israel J. Ent., 2, 45–106 (1967).
Ishay, J., Trans. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 36(6), 447–462 (1973).
Van Holst, E., Br. anim. Behav., 2, 89–94 (1954).
Iwata, K., Nat. Life S.E. Asia, Tokyo, 5, 259–293 (1967).
Yoshikawa, K., Ohgushi, R., and Sakagami, S. F., Nat. Life S.E. Asia, Tokyo, 6, 153–182 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ISHAY, J. Hornet nest architecture. Nature 253, 41–42 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253041a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/253041a0
This article is cited by
-
Duration of hornet sleep induced by ether anesthesia is curtailed by exposure to sun or UV irradiation
Experientia (1994)
-
The cement in hornet combs
Journal of Ethology (1992)
-
Building pheromones ofVespa orientalis andPolistes foederatus
Journal of Chemical Ecology (1979)
-
Comb building abilities ofVespa orientalis L queenless workers
Insectes Sociaux (1979)
-
Influence of an additional magnetic field on hornet nest architecture
Experientia (1977)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
