Temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of social wasp cuticle: A comparative study

Resistance to electricity by social wasp cuticle is temperature dependent within the range of 1–40°C. This was measured on the species Vespa orientalis (the Oriental hornet), Vespa crabro (the European hornet) and the wasp Dolichovespula saxonica. The resistance at first decreases with increased temperature, reaching a nadir which differs according to species, and then rises again up to 40°C, the highest temperature tested. It is suggested that the cuticular changes in resistivity at different temperatures reflect the wasp's mechanism for detecting and regulating the temperature in their normal environment.