NESTING BEHAVIOUR AND BIOCHEMICAL ESTIMATION OF THE HAEMOLYMPH OF THE PAPER WASP, ROPALIDIA MARGINATA (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE)

Abstract

Wasps are remarkable amongst the higher social insects in exhibiting all stages of development of sociality from completely solitary to highly advanced colonial species with females clearly differentiated into reproductive and worker castes. The paper wasps are the most common type of wasps which is cosmopolitan throughout the world and mostly built their nest in human houses and trees. It is also the single largest genus within the family Vespidae, with over 300 recognized species and subspecies. A study was conducted on the nesting behaviour and biochemical estimation of haemolymph in paper wasp, Ropalidia marginata. The life cycle of paper wasp has egg, three instars of larval stage namely I, II and III, pre-caped pupa, pupa and adult. The biochemical analysis of the haemolymph revealed that the haemolymph contained the biochemical components, protein, glucose and cholesterol which were high in instars than the adult. When compared to all the three components, protein content was found to be high all the developmental stages