Dominance hierarchy and division of labour in the social wasp, Ropalidida marginata (Lep.)(Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

The presence of a dominance hierarchy among the workers of a Ropalidia marginata colony can be recognised on the basis of pair-wise interactions. This hierarchy influences the division of labour on the colony in a manner such that the subordinate individuals spend more time making trips to places away from the nest to bring back food, building material, water etc, while the dominant ones like the queen, sit around and at best give alarm reactions, This is consistent with the result that it is the heavier individuals that develop their ovaries and are capable of becoming egg layers.