FORMATION OF LOCAL SETTLEMENTS BY FOUNDERS OF THE POLYSTES WASPS OF DIFFERENT MORPHOTYPES

In 2003–2013 and in 2019, an analysis of the relationship between phenotypic variability and the behavior of overwintered foundresses of 4 Palearctic Polistes wasp species from 12 local settlements was performed. It is shown that the structure and organization of melanin patterns of foundresses and their behavior in spring depend on the biocenotic environment of the colonies in which they were raised the previous summer, as well as on the weather conditions of wintering and nesting period. The system of polymorphism in primitive eusocial wasps, which is involved in providing population adaptations, in particular, nesting strategies, is discussed.