Transmission of Polistes vibrational signals across the nest

Polistes paper wasps nests are different from those constructed by other social insects in that they are made of pulp (fiber), bell shaped, hung by a petiole, and not enclosed by an envelope – the nest is exposed to the elements. We propose this simple nest design may have been selected to maximize transmission of vibrational signals throughout the nest substrate. Previous studies have proposed that antennal drumming by Polistes queens may be an example of wasps using the nest as a substrate to communicate to larvae. If selection has acted in a way that wasps construct nests so to maximize signal transmission throughout the nest, then the antennal drumming signal should remain intact as the distance from the signaler increases. Alternatively, if the nest is not constructed so to maximize vibrational communication, then the antennal drumming signal should dampen as the distance from signaler increases. To test these hypotheses, we attached piezoelectric devices to Polistes fuscatus nests.  These devices record the frequency and amplitude of vibrations on the nest. We filmed the activity on the nests for 30 minutes on multiple days, on 3 nests, and noted the distance the drumming wasp was from the piezo device while it recorded the vibration. We compare the effect that distance has on signal strength and variability in the antennal drumming signal, as well as in other active and inactive behaviors.