Vespula austriaca

Vespula austriaca is an obligate parasitic wasp, parasitizing the nests of other species in the genus Vespula in the Old World. Its common host species include V. rufa in Europe, Japan, and East Siberia.[1]V. austriaca wasps pollinate orchids.[2]

Vespula austriaca
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Genus: Vespula
Species:
V. austriaca
Binomial name
Vespula austriaca
(Panzer, 1799)
Synonyms

Vespa austriaca Panzer, 1799
Vespa borealis Smith, 1843 (homonym)
Vespa arborea Smith, 1849
Vespa biloba Schilling, 1850

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Vespula austriaca is a member of the family Vespidae. The genera Vespula and Dolichovespula are thought to be closely related and are considered sister groups. Their similarities include absences of strong seta on third segment of labial palpus, smaller scutal lamella, and a characteristic twisted pedicel in embryonic nests.

The Nearctic population formerly considered as belonging to austriaca has been recognized as a separate species, Vespula infernalis.[3]

Description and identification

This wasp is an obligate social parasite.[4] As a result, it possess special morphological adaptations to take over host colonies. V. austriaca also has a wider interocular (space between the centers of rotation of the eyeballs) distance, longer mesonotum, longer forewing (anterior wings), longer gastrula tergum, and an overall larger front femur.

The male abdomen is longer with thick lateral black bands while the female abdomen is wider with fewer lateral black bands and black dots.

Distribution and habitat

Vespula austriaca is found in the Palearctic region, from Europe to Kamchatka, Japan and northwest China, Turkey, northern Pakistan and northern India. In Europe,V. austriaca is most common in Ireland and Scotland.[5]

As an obligate parasite, these wasps do not build their nests. As a result, the queens will hibernate longer than their host queens. This ensures that the nests will be ready when they leave their hibernation spots.[6]

Colony cycle

This wasp is known as a labour parasite. Their lifestyle depends on invading and usurping other colonies. First, females kill the queens of the host colony and force the host workers to care of their offspring.[7] As an obligate parasite, Vespula austriaca wasps lack a worker caste and the ability to build their own nest. These wasps have very short seasons with flight periods from June to mid July and August to mid September.[6]

Parasitic behaviour

Vespula austriaca takes advantage of hosts such as Vespula rufa from East Siberia, Europe, and Honshû Japan.[7]

Diet

The larvae of Vespula austriaca obtain nutrients from insects and spiders brought to them by the host workers.[4]

Human importance

These wasps are not considered a pest. But one of its hosts, Vespula rufa is a pest because it frequently enters buildings.[6] Considered a nuisance, one Vespula austriaca wasp was found in a shipping container.[8]

Reproduction

Vespula austriaca does not produce any workers. Instead the queens lay eggs that eventually produce more queens and male adults.[9]

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References
  1. Schmidt, J.O; Reed, H.C; Akre, R.D (1984). "Venoms of a Parasitic and Two Nonparasitic Species of Yellowjackets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. JSTOR 25084514.
  2. Jakubska-Busse, Anna; Kadej, Marcin (29 Oct 2010). "The Pollination of Epipactis Zinn, 1757 (Orchidaceae) Species in Central Europe – The Significance of Chemical Attractants, Floral Morphology and Concomitant Insects" (PDF). Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 80 (1): 49–57. doi:10.5586/asbp.2011.007. Retrieved 14 Oct 2014.
  3. Lynn S. Kimsey; James M. Carpenter (2012). "The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera)". Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 28: 37–65. doi:10.3897/jhr.28.3514.
  4. Archer, M.E. (1998). "Vespula austriaca (Panzer, 1799)". Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society. BWARS. Retrieved 15 Oct 2014.
  5. Spradbery, J.P (1973). Wasps An Account of the Biology and Natural History of Social and Solitary Wasps. Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-95287-3.
  6. Edwards, Robin (1980). Social Wasps Their Biology and Control. East Grinstead: Rentokil Limited. ISBN 0 90656401 8.
  7. Yamane, S., Kubo T., (1970). A brief note on a labor-parasitic wasp, Vespula austriaca, in association with Vespula rufa schrencki. Kontyu 38(2):171–175.
  8. Stanaway, M.A.; Zalucki, M.P.; Gillespie, P.S.; Rodriguez, C.M; Maynard, G.V (20 Dec 2001). "Pest risk assessment of insects in sea cargo containers" (PDF). Australian Journal of Entomology. doi:10.1046/j.1440-6055.2001.00215.x. Retrieved 15 Oct 2014.
  9. Archer, M.E. (1978). "The Cuckoo Wasp, Vespula austriaca (Panzer) (Hym., Vespidae) in Yorkshire". The Naturalist. 103: 133–134. Retrieved 15 Oct 2014.
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