Population Dynamics of the Social Wasps Vespula vulgaris and Vespula germanica in England

10.2307/4492 ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 473 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Archer
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Vespula Vulgaris ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
The Social

The social wasp Vespula germanica (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) population dynamics in England over 39 years.

2018 ◽  
Vol 154 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-155
Author(s):  
Michael Archer
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Dynamic ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Social Wasp ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
The Social ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
Suction Traps

1. Yearly records of worker Vespula germanica (Fabricius) taken in suction traps at Silwood Park (28 years) and at Rothamsted Research (39 years) are examined. 2. Using the autocorrelation function (ACF), a significant negative 1-year lag followed by a lesser non-significant positive 2-year lag was found in all, or parts of, each data set, indicating an underlying population dynamic of a 2-year cycle with a damped waveform. 3. The minimum number of years before the 2-year cycle with damped waveform was shown varied between 17 and 26, or was not found in some data sets. 4. Ecological factors delaying or preventing the occurrence of the 2-year cycle are considered.

scholarly journals Mouthpart dimorphism in male and female wasps of Vespula vulgaris and Vespula germanica (Vespidae, Hymenoptera)

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Baranek ◽  
Kenneth Kuba ◽  
Julia Bauder ◽  
Harald Krenn
Keyword(s):  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Brood Care ◽  
Wood Fibers ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Workers ◽  
Vespula Vulgaris ◽  
Fluid Uptake ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
Adductor Muscles

Social wasps perform a variety of tasks with their mouthparts. Female workers use them to feed on carbohydrate-rich fluids, to build nests by collecting wood fibers and forming paper, to hunt and manipulate insect prey for feeding larvae as well as for brood care. Since male wasps neither feed on insects nor participate in nest building, sex-specific differences in mouthpart morphology are expected. Despite these different applications, general mouthpart morphology of male and female wasps from the genus Vespula was similar. However, males possessed significantly shorter mandibles with fewer teeth than females. Furthermore, the adductor muscles of the mandibles were distinctly smaller in males than in females. Male wasps showed a higher number of sensilla on the mandibles and the labial palpi. Mouthpart dimorphism and functional morphology of fluid uptake are discussed.

scholarly journals Microbiota of an Invasive Wasp Vespula vulgaris and Hymenopteran relatives: Interpreting the microbiome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Oliver Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Vespula Vulgaris ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
Introduced Range

<p>Invasive species represent a critical threat to ecosystems and ecological communities, causing changes through overwhelming predation as well as competing with native species for resources. Understanding the mechanisms behind invasive success is essential for understanding why they invade and the consequences of their invasions. Furthermore, invasive species, like all macroscopic organisms, harbour symbiotic and pathogenic microbes that constitute their microbiomes, which could explain invasive success.  The complex ecological interaction networks within the microbiome can have a positive or negative impact on host abundance and dominance. These interactions may be significant for invasive species, where microbial influences acting on an exotic host can potentially drive the ecological success of an invasive population to the detriment of recipient communities. This thesis explores the microbiota of one of the most globally invasive species, the common wasp Vespula vulgaris, with the overall aim to investigate and characterise the microbiome of V. vulgaris, using metagenomics, bioinformatics and molecular techniques.  The initial comparative microbiota study focused on three distinct life stages (larvae, worker and queen), from two ranges. This analysis revealed a core bacteriome community present in V. vulgaris. There was evidence of higher microbial diversity in wasp larvae compared with workers and queens. The Queen (gyne) microbiome revealed a more specific microbiome with absences of certain microbiota found in larvae and workers from the same nest, indicating a more distinctive microbiome. Interestingly, analysis of life stages between ranges showed significant dissimilarity in microbiomes, with microbiota loses, and acquisitions in the introduced New Zealand range.  Using the same techniques, the microbiota of V. vulgaris and four hymenopteran hosts (Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, Vespula germanica and Linepithema humile), were comparatively analysed. The analysis investigated both shared microbiota and host specific microbiota. This analysis indicated the polyphagous V. vulgaris as having a diverse microbiome varying between nests and sites, indicating less specific microbiota in comparison to other hymenopteran hosts in this study.  Vespid wasp colonies are known to occasionally crash in the presence of diseases; however, there is a lack of reliable evidence indicating pathogenic micro-organisms play an essential role in wasp colony dynamics. Incorporating knowledge gained in previous analyses, the next aim was to investigate V. vulgaris nests symptomatic of an infectious agent to discover the cause of pathology. Through molecular techniques, such as Illumina RNA-Seq, PCR and Sanger sequencing, the potential cause of infection and decline of diseased nests was examined. The metatranscriptomic comparison of diseased and healthy larvae highlighted five putative infectious agents. The bacteria Moellerella wisconsensis, Moku virus, Kashmir Bee Virus, Aspergillus and the microsporidian Vavraia culicis floridensis found in infected larvae, potentially causing pathology in the host. The first known instance of Moku virus, and potentially V. culicis floridensis and M. wisconsensis was documented as potential pathogens of V. vulgaris present in New Zealand. To test for potential virulence of these putative infectious agents, an infection study was carried out. Vespula vulgaris nests and larvae were orally infected in the lab using homogenised infected larvae. Subsequently, test and control larvae were sampled to conduct and quantify a time series analysis of infection using RT-qPCR using designed primers.  This dissertation provided the first insight into the microbiome of V. vulgaris in the native and introduced range providing a baseline for further research. This analysis and the subsequent microbiota identified may play a role in wasp population dynamics, giving a better understanding of the observed thriving V. vulgaris population dynamics in New Zealand.</p>

scholarly journals High-Quality Assemblies for Three Invasive Social Wasps from the Vespula Genus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. R. Harrop ◽  
Joseph Guhlin ◽  
Gemma M. McLaughlin ◽  
Elizabeth Perming ◽  
Peter Stockwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Olfactory Receptors ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Vespula Vulgaris ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Genome Assemblies ◽  
Generation Control

<div><div><div><p>Social wasps of the genus Vespula have spread to nearly all landmasses worldwide and have become significant pests in their introduced ranges, affecting economies and biodiversity. Comprehensive genome assemblies and annotations for these species are required to develop the next generation of control strategies and monitor existing chemical control. We sequenced and annotated the genomes of the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), German wasp (Vespula germanica), and the western yellowjacket (Vespula pensyl- vanica). Our chromosome-level Vespula assemblies each contain 176–179 Mb of total sequence assembled into 25 scaffolds, with 10–200 unanchored scaffolds, and 16,566–18,948 genes. We annotated gene sets relevant to the applied management of invasive wasp populations, including genes associated with spermatogenesis and development, pesticide resistance, olfactory receptors, immunity and venom. These genomes provide evidence for active DNA methylation in Vespidae and tandem duplications of venom genes. Our genomic resources will contribute to the development of next-generation control strategies, and monitoring potential resistance to chemical control.</p></div></div></div>

scholarly journals Microbiota of an Invasive Wasp Vespula vulgaris and Hymenopteran relatives: Interpreting the microbiome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Oliver Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Vespula Vulgaris ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
Introduced Range

<p>Invasive species represent a critical threat to ecosystems and ecological communities, causing changes through overwhelming predation as well as competing with native species for resources. Understanding the mechanisms behind invasive success is essential for understanding why they invade and the consequences of their invasions. Furthermore, invasive species, like all macroscopic organisms, harbour symbiotic and pathogenic microbes that constitute their microbiomes, which could explain invasive success.  The complex ecological interaction networks within the microbiome can have a positive or negative impact on host abundance and dominance. These interactions may be significant for invasive species, where microbial influences acting on an exotic host can potentially drive the ecological success of an invasive population to the detriment of recipient communities. This thesis explores the microbiota of one of the most globally invasive species, the common wasp Vespula vulgaris, with the overall aim to investigate and characterise the microbiome of V. vulgaris, using metagenomics, bioinformatics and molecular techniques.  The initial comparative microbiota study focused on three distinct life stages (larvae, worker and queen), from two ranges. This analysis revealed a core bacteriome community present in V. vulgaris. There was evidence of higher microbial diversity in wasp larvae compared with workers and queens. The Queen (gyne) microbiome revealed a more specific microbiome with absences of certain microbiota found in larvae and workers from the same nest, indicating a more distinctive microbiome. Interestingly, analysis of life stages between ranges showed significant dissimilarity in microbiomes, with microbiota loses, and acquisitions in the introduced New Zealand range.  Using the same techniques, the microbiota of V. vulgaris and four hymenopteran hosts (Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, Vespula germanica and Linepithema humile), were comparatively analysed. The analysis investigated both shared microbiota and host specific microbiota. This analysis indicated the polyphagous V. vulgaris as having a diverse microbiome varying between nests and sites, indicating less specific microbiota in comparison to other hymenopteran hosts in this study.  Vespid wasp colonies are known to occasionally crash in the presence of diseases; however, there is a lack of reliable evidence indicating pathogenic micro-organisms play an essential role in wasp colony dynamics. Incorporating knowledge gained in previous analyses, the next aim was to investigate V. vulgaris nests symptomatic of an infectious agent to discover the cause of pathology. Through molecular techniques, such as Illumina RNA-Seq, PCR and Sanger sequencing, the potential cause of infection and decline of diseased nests was examined. The metatranscriptomic comparison of diseased and healthy larvae highlighted five putative infectious agents. The bacteria Moellerella wisconsensis, Moku virus, Kashmir Bee Virus, Aspergillus and the microsporidian Vavraia culicis floridensis found in infected larvae, potentially causing pathology in the host. The first known instance of Moku virus, and potentially V. culicis floridensis and M. wisconsensis was documented as potential pathogens of V. vulgaris present in New Zealand. To test for potential virulence of these putative infectious agents, an infection study was carried out. Vespula vulgaris nests and larvae were orally infected in the lab using homogenised infected larvae. Subsequently, test and control larvae were sampled to conduct and quantify a time series analysis of infection using RT-qPCR using designed primers.  This dissertation provided the first insight into the microbiome of V. vulgaris in the native and introduced range providing a baseline for further research. This analysis and the subsequent microbiota identified may play a role in wasp population dynamics, giving a better understanding of the observed thriving V. vulgaris population dynamics in New Zealand.</p>

scholarly journals High-Quality Assemblies for Three Invasive Social Wasps from the Vespula Genus

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3479-3488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. R. Harrop ◽  
Joseph Guhlin ◽  
Gemma M. McLaughlin ◽  
Elizabeth Permina ◽  
Peter Stockwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Olfactory Receptors ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Vespula Vulgaris ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Vespula Pensylvanica ◽  
Genome Assemblies

Social wasps of the genus Vespula have spread to nearly all landmasses worldwide and have become significant pests in their introduced ranges, affecting economies and biodiversity. Comprehensive genome assemblies and annotations for these species are required to develop the next generation of control strategies and monitor existing chemical control. We sequenced and annotated the genomes of the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), German wasp (Vespula germanica), and the western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica). Our chromosome-level Vespula assemblies each contain 176–179 Mb of total sequence assembled into 25 scaffolds, with 10–200 unanchored scaffolds, and 16,566–18,948 genes. We annotated gene sets relevant to the applied management of invasive wasp populations, including genes associated with spermatogenesis and development, pesticide resistance, olfactory receptors, immunity and venom. These genomes provide evidence for active DNA methylation in Vespidae and tandem duplications of venom genes. Our genomic resources will contribute to the development of next-generation control strategies, and monitoring potential resistance to chemical control.

scholarly journals High-Quality Assemblies for Three Invasive Social Wasps from the Vespula Genus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. R. Harrop ◽  
Joseph Guhlin ◽  
Gemma M. McLaughlin ◽  
Elizabeth Perming ◽  
Peter Stockwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Olfactory Receptors ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Vespula Vulgaris ◽  
Vespula Germanica ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Genome Assemblies ◽  
Generation Control

<div><div><div><p>Social wasps of the genus Vespula have spread to nearly all landmasses worldwide and have become significant pests in their introduced ranges, affecting economies and biodiversity. Comprehensive genome assemblies and annotations for these species are required to develop the next generation of control strategies and monitor existing chemical control. We sequenced and annotated the genomes of the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), German wasp (Vespula germanica), and the western yellowjacket (Vespula pensyl- vanica). Our chromosome-level Vespula assemblies each contain 176–179 Mb of total sequence assembled into 25 scaffolds, with 10–200 unanchored scaffolds, and 16,566–18,948 genes. We annotated gene sets relevant to the applied management of invasive wasp populations, including genes associated with spermatogenesis and development, pesticide resistance, olfactory receptors, immunity and venom. These genomes provide evidence for active DNA methylation in Vespidae and tandem duplications of venom genes. Our genomic resources will contribute to the development of next-generation control strategies, and monitoring potential resistance to chemical control.</p></div></div></div>

Venom gland morphology in Pepsis pallidolimbata pallidolimbata and biological use and activity of Pepsis venom

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1014-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Schoeters ◽  
J. Billen ◽  
J. O. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Venom Gland ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Morphological Organization ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Venom Glands ◽  
Glandular Structures ◽  
Sibling Family

Spider wasps, i.e., the family Pompilidae, in general, and those belonging to the genus Pepsis in particular, are acknowledged to possess venoms that are algogenic to humans and thus have the parsimonious functions of causing paralysis and providing defense against predators. The morphological organization of the venom system and its complex convoluted gland closely resembles that in social members of the Vespidae. These features distinguish the venom glands of the Pompilidae from those of the sibling family Mutillidae as well as those of the family Sphecidae, which lack convoluted glands. Although the venom glands in Pepsis species are very similar in morphology to those of social vespids, the lethality of Pepsis venom to mammals is several times less than that of the social common wasps. These findings suggest that in terms of the evolution of venom activity and the associated glandular structures, there was apparently no need for social wasps to develop extra parts of the venom system for producing toxic, lethal, or powerful algogenic components. All of the glandular parts of the venom gland of social wasps were already present in pompilids (and eumenids) and, presumably, in their ancestors.

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