Digger Wasp Research Articles

Discovery of the digger wasp genus Pseudoscolia Radoszkowski, 1876 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Philanthinae: Pseudoscoliini) in Indian Sub-continent, with description of a new species.

The digger wasp genus Pseudoscolia Radoszkowski, 1876 is newly reported from India with a new species: Pseudoscolia anuae Saini sp. nov. from the State of Haryana.

Nesting and mating behaviours, and the development time of three solitary digger wasps of the genus Ammophila (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract Nesting and mating behaviours and the development time of Ammophila clavus (Fabricius), Ammophila globifrontalis Q.Li & Ch.Yang, and Ammophila laevigata F.Smith from Vietnam are presented. All three dig their nests in the ground. The nest entrance is round. The nest burrow is nearly vertical and ends with an elliptical cell. The cell contains 1–2 caterpillars. The egg is usually glued on the third abdominal segment of prey. The three wasps temporarily close their nest burrows just below the entrance when provisioning, but permanently close them above or at the nest cells when full provision is complete. As the last stage of nest construction, the nest entrance is camouflaged with small sticks and several pebbles. Males of both Ammophila clavus and Ammophila laevigata patrol nesting areas, pursue females searching for their nest sites, pounce upon them, and mate with them on the ground. The development time from egg to the emergence of adult wasps is more than one month, males always emerging before females. The nesting behaviour of the three Ammophila species is compared and discussed.

Review of the genus Miscophus Jurine, 1807 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Crabroninae) of the Indian subcontinent with descriptions of two new species from southern India.

The digger wasp genus Miscophus Jurine, 1807 from the Indian subcontinent is reviewed with descriptions of two new species from India, Miscophus kaleshi Girish Kumar and Miscophus prasanthi Girish Kumar. A key to Miscophus of the Indian subcontinent is provided.

The genome sequence of the Large-spurred Digger Wasp, Nysson spinosus (Forster, 1771)

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Nysson spinosus (the Large-spurred Digger Wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Crabronidae). The genome sequence is 314.6 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 26 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 20.22 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 10,008 protein coding genes.

Communities of Digger Wasps (Hymenoptera: Spheciformes) along a Tree Cover Gradient in the Cultural Landscape of River Valleys in Poland.

This study of digger wasps (Hymenoptera: Spheciformes) was carried out in the cultural landscape of the Drwęca, Lower Vistula, and Warta river valleys in northern Poland during 2011-2013. The study was undertaken on sites representing a succession gradient from dry grasslands to high levels of tree cover which we hypothesised would influence the structure of digger wasp communities. During our research additional information on flower use, insect prey, and phenology was also recorded and is reported here, revealing dependencies between woodland cover and both the prey and nesting types of digger wasps. A total of 136 species were recorded, i.e., nearly 56% of all Spheciformes species recorded from Poland. Among the species collected, 30 were on the Red List of Threatened Animals in Poland. Most endangered species were recorded in psammophilous grasslands, which are open habitats, and the least in mesic sites. These results significantly update the known distribution of the digger wasp in northern Poland. Knowledge on the biology of digger wasps in Poland is also supplemented by information on the feeding of larvae of 14 species and information on food plants visited by imago digger wasps. The results of our research confirm the correlations between the increase in forest cover and the number of digger wasp species.

The genome sequence of a digger wasp, Ectemnius lituratus (Panzer,1805).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Ectemnius lituratus (a digger wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Crabronidae). The genome sequence is 235.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 13 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 29.67 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 9,724 protein coding genes.

Protection of a defensive symbiont does not constrain the composition of the multifunctional hydrocarbon profile in digger wasps.

Hydrocarbons (HCs) fulfil indispensable functions in insects, protecting against desiccation and serving chemical communication. However, the link between composition and function, and the selection pressures shaping HC profiles remain poorly understood. Beewolf digger wasps (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) use an antennal gland secretion rich in linear unsaturated HCs to form a hydrophobic barrier around their defensive bacterial symbiont, protecting it from brood cell fumigation by toxic egg-produced nitric oxide (NO). Virtually identical HC compositions mediate desiccation protection and prey preservation from moulding in underground beewolf brood cells. It is unknown whether this composition presents an optimized adaptation to all functions, or a compromise due to conflicting selection pressures. Here, we reconstitute the NO barrier with single and binary combinations of synthetic linear saturated and unsaturated HCs, corresponding to HCs found in beewolves. The results show that pure alkanes as well as 3 : 1 mixtures of alkanes and alkenes resembling the composition of beewolf HCs form efficient protective barriers against NO, indicating that protection can be achieved by different mixtures of HCs. Since in vitro assays with symbiont cultures from different beewolf hosts indicate widespread NO sensitivity, HC-mediated protection from NO is likely important across Philanthini wasps. We conclude that HC-mediated protection of the symbiont from NO does not exert a conflicting selection pressure on the multifunctional HC profile of beewolves.

The genome sequence of a digger wasp, Ectemnius continuus (Fabricius, 1804).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Ectemnius continuus (digger wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Crabronidae). The genome sequence is 260.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 14 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 27.05 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 9,835 protein coding genes.

Insects and their antibiotic-producing bacteria

Many, if not all, plants and animals form mutually beneficial symbioses (mutualisms) with microbes and a subset of these mutualisms are defensive, in which the host provides food and housing in return for defence against disease. These symbioses typically involve antibiotic-producing bacteria, the best known of which are filamentous actinomycetes in the genera Streptomyces and Pseudonocardia and unicellular species in the genus Pseudomonas. Such mutualisms are likely to be widespread in nature, but they are best characterised in insects, which provide experimentally tractable models for studying symbiosis and microbiome formation because they typically host less complex microbial communities. Here, we examine the mutualisms formed between insects and antibiotic-producing bacteria using well-characterised examples, including digger wasps and their endosymbiotic Streptomyces species, attine ants and their mutualist Pseudonocardia species and Paederus beetles with their pederin-producing Pseudomonas species. We also discuss how searching such symbiotic niches can give insights into the evolution and functions of microbial specialised metabolites and provide new platforms for antibiotic discovery.

Nest aggregations of wild bees and apoid wasps in urban pavements: A ‘street life’ to be promoted in urban planning

Abstract In the last 10 years, the interest in nature‐based solutions and ecosystem services like pollination has increased profoundly and with it the need to gather knowledge about wild bees and apoid wasp community dynamics, especially in urban ecosystems. Research on how the urban environment impacts the conditions of nesting sites is relatively scarce. Recent observations in the Brussels‐Capital Region (BCR; Belgium) show that urban pavements can provide alternative nesting opportunities for ground‐nesting Hymenoptera, such as wild bees and apoid wasps. Here, using a citizen science approach, we investigated the richness of ground‐nesting species living under urban pavements, as well as their preferences for sidewalk characteristics. A total of 22 species belonging to 10 families of wild bees, digger wasps and their associated cleptoparasites were identified at 89 sites in the BCR (Belgium). Sandstone setts or concrete slabs, with an unbound joint size of around 10 mm, were found to be the best suitable urban pavements for the ground‐nesting species. The soil texture under the pavement contained mainly sandy particles. We propose management guidelines to support bee and wasp species nesting under urban pavement in highly urbanised areas. Our observations pave the way for further research in the field of urban ecology and highlight the potential of multifunctional pavement designs that promote not only climate adaptation but also biodiversity.

Asymmetrical gene flow between coastal and inland dunes in a threatened digger wasp

Asymmetrical gene flow between coastal and inland dunes in a threatened digger wasp

TO THE FAUNA OF THE DIGGER WASPS FAMILY SPHECIDAE (HYMENOPTERA: APOIDEA) OF THE KHINGAN NATURE RESERVE, AMURSKAYA OBLAST

Ten species in five genera of the digger wasps family Sphecidae are found in the Khingan Nature Reserve, of them six species are new for this restricted area. Sphex funerarius Gussakovskij, 1934 and Prionyx subfuscatus (Dahlbom, 1845) are reported from Amurskaya oblast for the first time and Podalonia hirsuta (Scopoli, 1763) is new for the fauna of Russian Far East. The genera Prionyx Vander Linden, 1827 and Sphex Linnaeus, 1758 are reported for Amurskaya oblast for the first time. The taxonomic composition of the fauna of Sphecidae is briefly discussed. Majority of species founded in the Khingan Reserve are Transpalaearctic.

Host hydrocarbons protect symbiont transmission from a radical host defense

Symbioses with microbes play a pivotal role in the evolutionary success of insects, and can lead to intimate host-symbiont associations. However, how the host maintains a stable symbiosis with its beneficial partners while keeping antagonistic microbes in check remains incompletely understood. Here, we uncover a mechanism by which a host protects its symbiont from the host's own broad-range antimicrobial defense during transmission. Beewolves, a group of solitary digger wasps (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), provide their brood cells with symbiotic Streptomyces bacteria that are later transferred to the cocoon and protect the offspring from opportunistic pathogens by producing antibiotics. In the brood cell, however, the symbiont-containing secretion is exposed to a toxic burst of nitric oxide (NO) released by the beewolf egg, which effectively kills antagonistic microorganisms. How the symbiont survives this lethal NO burst remained unknown. Here, we report that upon NO exposure in vitro, the symbionts mount a global stress response, but this is insufficient to ensure survival at brood cell-level NO concentrations. Instead, in vivo bioassays demonstrate that the host's antennal gland secretion (AGS) surrounding the symbionts in the brood cell provides an effective diffusion barrier against NO. This physicochemical protection can be reconstituted in vitro by beewolf hydrocarbon extracts and synthetic hydrocarbons, indicating that the host-derived long-chain alkenes and alkanes in the AGS are responsible for shielding the symbionts from NO. Our results reveal how host adaptations can protect a symbiont from host-generated oxidative and nitrosative stress during transmission, thereby efficiently balancing pathogen defense and mutualism maintenance.

Nesting biology of Mimumesa littoralis (Bondroit, 1934) (Hymenoptera, Spheciformes) in Poland

The biology of Mimumesa littoralis was studied on sandy soil (Sierakowo) and wasteland with hard substrate (Kowalewo Pomorskie) in northern Poland. The study presents information on the bionomics of the rare digger wasp Mimumesa littoralis (Bondroit,1934). Females of Mimumesa littoralis nested both on sandy soil and wasteland with hard substrate. Their nests consisted of 2–3 cells. One cell contained up to 11 prey items belonging to species from five genera: Megadelphax spp., Dicranotropis hamata, Javesella spp., Laodelphax striatella, Javesella pellucida (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and Streptanus sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), which had not been previously reported in the literature. The frequency with which the female brought prey to the nest varied from 12 to 21 min. In addition, the kleptoparasite Senotainia conica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) was found in the nest. Adult individuals were observed feeding on the flowers of Pimpinella sp.

Diagnostics of the Two Species of <i>Ammophila</i> Kirby From Uzbekistan

This study taxonomically analyses the two spieces of ground digger wasps of the subfamily Ammophilinae and family Sphecidae of hymenoptera viz., Ammophila heydeni Dahlbom and A. sabulosa (Linnaeus) occurring in the Namangan region of Uzbekistan and provides a redescription. Molecular analysis of MtCo1 of these two species are also provided comparing of these and submitting accessiars in the NCBI Gen Bank.

Two new species of Astata Latreille from Iran (Hymenoptera, Astatidae)

Two new digger wasp species of the genus Astata Latreille, 1796 (Hymenoptera, Astatidae), A. ljubomirovi sp. nov. and A. rubriventris sp. nov. are described from Iran. Moreover, A. compta Nurse is newly recorded from the Palaearctic region and Iran, redescribed and illustrated. Diagnostic characters and key features to each species are given. With the present additions, the total number of Astata recorded from Iran increases up to 14.

Digger wasps Microbembex monodonta SAY (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) rely exclusively on visual cues when pinpointing their nest entrances.

The ability of insects to navigate and home is crucial to fundamental tasks, such as pollination, parental care, procuring food, and finding mates. Despite recent advances in our understanding of visual homing in insects, it remains unclear exactly how ground-nesting Hymenoptera are able to precisely locate their often inconspicuous or hidden reproductive burrow entrances. Here we show that the ground-nesting wasp Microbembex monodonta locates her hidden burrow entrance with the help of local landmarks, but only if their view of the wider panorama is not blocked. Moreover, the wasps are able to pinpoint the burrow location to within a few centimeters when potential olfactory, tactile and auditory cues are locally masked. We conclude that M. monodonta locate their hidden burrows relying exclusively on local visual cues in the context of the wider panorama. We discuss these results in the light of the older and more recent literature on nest recognition and homing in insects.

The genera Philanthus Fabricius, 1790 and Philanthinus de Beaumont, 1949 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Philanthinae) in Egypt, with a new record and the description of a new species

The digger wasps of the genera Philanthinus de Beaumont and Philanthus Fabricius (Crabronidae: Philanthinae) of Egypt are reviewed. One species in Philanthinus and 10 in Philanthus are recorded. Philanthus ammochrysus is newly recorded for the country, and a new species, Philanthus pulawskii Malash, Edmardash and Gadallah is described. The following species and subspecies are doubtful records: Philanthus sulphureus F. Smith, P. venustus (Rossi), and P. triangulum obliteratum Pic. A key to the Egyptian species of Philanthus is provided. Illustrations to all important characters of species under study are also provided.

Additions to the digger wasps (Hymenoptera, Spheciformes) of the United Arab Emirates with description of ten new species

The following ten new species are described from the United Arab Emirates by C. Schmid-Egger: Didineis mokrousovi, Gastrosericus albidaaensis, Gastrosericus alwathbaensis, Gastrosericus barqaalsuqoorensis, Gastrosericus pulawskii, (paratypes also from Oman), Gastrosericus sheikhae, Oxybelus sajiae, Parapiagetia alwathbaensis, Parapiagetia haladai, and Parapiagetia huwrobertsi (paratypes also from Oman). The unknown males of Nitela arabica Gayubo & Schmid-Egger, 2014, and of Parapiagetia arabica Schmid-Egger, 2014 are described for the first time, new recognition characters for Nitela Latreille, 1809, are given. A key for all Arabian species of Gastrosericus Spinola, 1839, Nitela, and Parapiagetia Kohl, 1897 is provided.

Review of the digger wasps of the genus Chilosphex Menke in Bohart and Menke, 1976 (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae: Prionychini).

All available data about the digger wasp genus Chilosphex Menke in Bohart and Menke, 1976 is summarized. The melanistic form of Ch. argyrius (Brullé, 1833) from North Caucasus (Dagestan) is recorded and illustrated. Chilosphex pseudargyrius (Roth in de Beaumont, 1967) is newly recorded from Iran and Ch. argyrius from Bulgaria. A key to both species is provided.