Natal nest discrimination in the paper wasp, Polistes dominulus

I present data indicating that Polistes dominulus females overwinter in multi-colony groups, recognize natal nest fragments after overwintering, and select nesting cavities based on cavity volume. In a seminatural environment, seven fi eld-captured P. dominulus colonies completed the colony cycle, and the resulting reproductive females were observed in hibernacula groups, on natal nest fragments prior to colony initiation, and in nest boxes after initiating colonies. Given the choice of three nest box sizes in which to initiate colonies, P. dominulus preferred medium nest boxes and avoided large nest boxes. This site preference may indicate a balance between the cost of detection by predators and the benefi t of space for colony growth. Even though natal nests were cut into small fragments and distributed into nest boxes, spring foundresses recognized and preferentially perched upon fragments from their natal nest. Individuals whose natal nest contained multiple queens were signifi cantly more likely to perch upon natal nest fragments than were individuals whose natal nest contained a single queen. Returning to and recognizing the natal nest may be an adaptive mechanism to (A) locate nestmates with whom to initiate multiple foundress colonies and (B) reduce the cost of fi nding these nestmates.