MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: How do wasp hive work out who is the next queen when the old queen dies?

Date: Fri Mar 11 16:46:01 2011
Posted By: Royce Moncur, Staff, General Science and Environment, Outside Input School Services
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 1297747038.Zo
Message:

Hello Susan,

I assume that you are asking about European wasps? Nasty things!

As I understand it, there are many 'princesses' created each season. They mate with males outside the nest. The males die and the 'queens' head off to establish new nests after they have sat out the cooler months.

In Australia we don't really have winters in most areas. Even in NZ it isn't quite like parts of Europe, so it's not so hard for the queen to survive winter.

She lays eggs and looks after the babies for a while until they grow big enough to make up the hive. She then sticks to laying eggs.

I hope to visit your school someday with my travelling science show?

Cheers Royce www.funshow.com.au


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