Alternative reproductive tactics in the paper wasp Polistes dominulus with specific focus on the sit-and-wait tactic

Polistes dominulus females that adopt nests are less cooperative and may expend less energy than nest founding wasps. In an enclosure, 14 nests were adopted by individuals previously unassociated with any nest. No preference for enclosure or non-enclosure nests was detected, suggesting that adopters do not preferentially secure nests containing non-descendent kin. Instead, adopters — who were significantly less likely cooperate than nest constructing wasps — maximized direct fitness benefits by adopting nests most likely to produce reproductives. Preliminary data comparing body weights of adopters to nest constructors suggests that, relative to nest constructors, adopters gain weight during the nest founding period. Combined, these results indicate that adopters are less cooperative than nest initiators, prefer mature nests to nests with a higher likelihood of kinship, and may conserve energy during the nest founding period. Several additional reproductive tactics were observed and a preliminary flow diagram of these options is provided.