Wasp Species Research Articles

Infestation of parasitic wasps from nettle caterpillar Ploneta diducta Snellen (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) in oil palm plantation

AbstractThe nettle caterpillarPloneta diducta(Lepidoptera: Limocodidae) is the leaf-eating caterpillar of oil palm that emerged in Central Kalimantan. The identification of hymenopteran parasitic wasps as natural enemy will help the planters to take action to conserve agronomy practices. The census ofP. diductawas carried out in PT Windu Nabatindo Abadi Central Kalimantan starting in January until August 2022. The population ofP. diductawas found only in three blocks (±100 ha), with a total population is 52 larvae. Of the total population, 92% is unparasitized larvae and 8% is parasitized larvae.P. diductalarvae found are reared in the insectary and observed the emergence of parasitic wasps. There were three species of parasitic wasps that infectedP. diducta, namelyApantelessp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae),Goryphussp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) andXanthopimplasp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Parasitic waspApantelessp. was a gregarious parasitoid and both speciesGoryphussp. andXanthopimplasp. were solitary. From these wasps, the highest infestation byXanthopimplasp. (9.6% parasitism rate) followed byGoryphussp. (3.8% parasitism rate) andApantelessp. (1.9% parasitism rate). Conservation of this insect by intensification of flowering plants can drive the wasp population and its function in oil palm plantations.

Neotropical songbird chick predation by an invasive wasp, the German yellowjacket (Vespula germanica)

AbstractSocial wasps (Family: Vespidae) are opportunistic and generalist feeders, which can occasionally feed on live vertebrates. The German yellowjacket (Vespula germanica) is native to Eurasia and Northern Africa, and has invaded many countries around the world, producing several environmental, economic and social impacts. Here we report the first video‐recorded evidence that this wasp species preys on chicks. Over six breeding seasons, we studied the parental care behaviour of the Chilean Elaenia (Elaenia chilensis), a long‐distance migratory bird that breeds in the Andean‐Patagonian Forest. We filmed 59 nests when chicks were 2–3 and 10–11 days old, and recorded in a nest containing two 10‐day‐old nestlings the predation of one of them by German yellowjackets. The other chick was found alive on the ground, indicating that it escaped from the wasps. Parents did not defend offspring against wasp attacks. The rarity of this observation may suggest either that this insect is not yet a significant nest predator or that it is difficult to obtain a record of predation by wasps, because birds may remove dead nestlings from the nests (i.e. nest sanitation). Although Chilean Elaenia is not threatened, 41% of bird species in the Andean‐Patagonian Forest are endemic, and this new nest predator may potentially become a threat to the conservation of any of those species, which deserves further research. Hence, to evaluate the German yellowjacket impact on bird populations, it is imperative to conduct videotaped nest monitoring in order to remove the masking effect of nest sanitation on predator identity, which will allow to determine how much this wasp contributes to nest failure in the invaded zone of the Neotropical region.

A DNA-barcoding-based approach to quantitatively investigate larval food resources of cavity-nesting wasps from trap nests

Artificial nesting resources, also known as trap nests, have proven to be an ideal method for monitoring cavity-nesting bees and wasps, their collected food resources, and natural enemies. Nowadays, trap nests are frequently used to assess responses to environmental and biodiversity changes based on multi-trophic interaction networks. Here, we reconstructed quantitative trophic interaction networks of five apoid wasps (Trypoxylon clavicerum, Passaloecus corniger, Passaloecus gracilis, Psenulus fuscipennis, Isodontia mexicana and two vespid wasp species (Ancistrocerus nigricornis, Microdynerus parvulus) using DNA barcoding. Sampling the nests during their construction period allowed us to give an accurate count and identification of the provided food items. We recovered highly resolved bi- and tripartite networks including wasp-beetle larva, wasp-cricket, natural enemy-wasp-moth larva, natural enemy-wasp-spider, and natural enemy-wasp-aphid associations. The latter include aphid species that are known as agricultural and forest pests. Although the quantitative sampling of nests entails increased time costs, it enables not only high-quality DNA barcoding but also to reconstruct quantitative interaction networks. Thus, our approach is a highly promising monitoring tool for gaining deeper knowledge on the ecology, habitat requirements and the impact of environmental and biodiversity change on cavity-nesting bees and wasps.

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.

Description of the first species of gall wasp (Hym., Cynipidae: Cynipini) on Quercus grahamii (Fagaceae).

A new species of oak gall wasp, Andricus coombesi Pujade-Villar & Prez-Torres n. sp. from Mexico, known only from its asexual generation that induces galls on acorns of Quercus grahamii Benth., (section Lobatae) is described. Its presence causes the complete disappearance of the acorn. Diagnosis, distribution and biological data of the new species are given. Andricus coombesi Pujade-Villar & Prez-Torres n. sp. represents the first gall wasp species mentioned from this host.

A bionomic overview of spider parasitoids and pseudo-parasitoids of the ichneumonid wasp subfamily Pimplinae

Abstract The parasitoid way of life (parasitizing and finally killing a single arthropod host) is one of the most successful lifeways in the animal kingdom, sparking an explosive diversification and accompanying numerous parasitoid strategies in insects, especially in the order Hymenoptera. Amongst parasitoid wasps, the Polysphincta group of genera has evolved a highly distinctive parasitoid mode of life, as solitary koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders (Chelicerata: Araneae). Some species of polysphinctine wasps have a remarkable ability to control spiders’ web-building behaviour (host web manipulation) to protect the vulnerable wasp cocoons. The group currently consists of 25 genera and 294 extant species worldwide, with 14 genera known to manipulate their host spiders. This study reviews the current species composition, distribution, host utilization and biology of all genera belonging to the Polysphincta group and their ancestral genera of spider egg mass pseudo-parasitoids, highlighting specific offensive approaches for subjugating spider hosts for oviposition and web manipulation against specific spider hosts. There must still be many more unique behaviours to be discovered, given that the life histories of several polysphinctine genera are poorly known or unknown. A tidy correspondence between lineages of polysphinctines and host spiders was recognized, implying the evolutionary history of polysphinctines. Based on the integrated information on behavioural data and host utilization, we suggest some hypotheses determining triggers for host shifts and discuss the possibility of adaptive radiation driven by divergent natural selection on host differentiation. One new taxonomic change is proposed: Zaglyptus idukkiensis (Manjusha, Sudheer & Ghosh, 2019), comb. nov., is transferred from Polysphincta.

The first reliable fossil record of the tribe Centistini (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae): a new subgenus and species of braconid wasp in Danish amber

A new subgenus and species of the braconid parasitoid of the tribe Centistini s. l. (Euphorinae), Centistoides (Palaeoides) magnioculus Belokobylskij, subgen. et sp. nov., from late Eocene Danish amber are described and illustrated from one female. This is the first time the tribe of euphorine parasitoids is reliably documented in the fossil record. A key to all genera and subgenera of this suprageneric taxonomic group is compiled. The discussion about position of the genus Parasyrrhizus Brues, composition of the tribe Centistini s. l., and the composition of the Danish amber hymenopteran fauna are provided.

A new species of Ormyrus Westwood (Hymenoptera, Ormyridae) developing in figs of Ficus microcarpa in Europe

Known by many names, the Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa L.) is a monoecious plant species originating from south-eastern Asia which has been introduced as an ornamental in numerous areas outside its native range, including the Mediterranean. Like every species of Ficus, it is associated with a series of chalcid wasp species, known as fig wasps. These species are distributed in the families Agaonidae, Epichrysomallidae, Eurytomidae, Ormyridae and Pteromalidae. In this publication, we describe a new species of Ormyrus Westwood, 1832 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Ormyridae), O. microcarpae Askew & Koutsoukos sp. nov., reared from figs of F. microcarpa collected from Greece and Cyprus. The new species is compared with O. lini and O. watshami. This species is likely to be a parasitoid of Meselatus bicolor Chen, 1999 (Hymenoptera, Epichrysomallidae). In addition, the previously unknown female of O. lini is also described and illustrated. This publication constitutes the first report of species of Ormyrus associated with figs in Europe.

Fungal Communities Associated with Siricid Wood Wasps: Focus on Sirex juvencus, Urocerus gigas, and Tremex fuscicornis.

We investigated the diversity and occurrence of wood wasps in Lithuania and determined communities of associated fungi. Trapping of wood wasps resulted in three different species, including Sirex juvencus, Urocerus gigas, and Tremex fuscicornis. Fungal culturing from adult females of T. fuscicornis mainly resulted in fungi from the genera Penicillium and Trichoderma. High-throughput sequencing of ITS2 rDNA resulted in 59,797 high-quality fungal sequences, representing 127 fungal OTUs. There were 93 fungal OTUs detected in U. gigas, 66 in S. juvencus, and 10 in T. fuscicornis. The most common fungi were Fusarium sporotrichioides (63.1% of all fungal sequences), Amylostereum chailletii (14.9%), Penicillium crustosum (7.8%), Microascus sp. 2261_4 (5.0%), and Pithoascus ater (2.1%). Among these, only A. chailletii was found in all three insect species with the highest relative abundance in U. gigas (15.2%), followed by S. juvencus (7.7%), and the lowest in T. fuscicornis (0.3%) (p < 0.0003). Correspondence analysis of fungal communities showed a distant placement of different species of wood wasps, indicating that fungal communities in each of these were largely different. In conclusion, the study showed that the economically important tree pathogen A. chailletii was among the most common fungal OTUs vectored by siricid wood wasps.

The role of divergent host use and geography in the evolution of habitat isolation and sexual isolation among sister species of Belonocnema gall wasps.

Ecology and geography can play important roles in the evolution of reproductive isolation across the speciation continuum, but few studies address both at the later stages of speciation. This notable gap in knowledge arises from the fact that traditional ecological speciation studies have predominantly focused on the role of ecology in initiating the speciation process, while many studies exploring the effect of geography (e.g., reinforcement) concentrate on species pairs that lack divergent ecological characteristics. We simultaneously examine the strength of habitat isolation and sexual isolation among three closely related species of Belonocnema gall-forming wasps on two species of live oaks, Quercus virginiana and Q. geminata, that experience divergent selection from their host plants and variable rates of migration due to their geographic context. We find that the strength of both habitat isolation and sexual isolation is lowest among allopatric species pairs with the same host plant association, followed by allopatric species with different host plant associations, and highest between sympatric species with different host-plant associations. This pattern suggests that divergent selection due to different host use interacts with geography in the evolution of habitat isolation and sexual isolation during the later stages of speciation of Belonocnema wasps.

Local ecological factors, not interference competition, drive the foundress number of two species of fig wasp sharing Ficus septica figs.

Recent studies have challenged assumptions about the classic fig-fig wasp pollination mutualism model, suggesting that further investigation into the receptive phase of fig development is needed. This study assessed the pollination mechanisms of Ficus septica in southern Taiwan and identified two species of wasps as the primary pollinators. Machine learning was used to identify and rank the factors that explain the relative abundance of these wasps. The two wasp species showed the highest level of cohabitation ever reported in the literature, with three-quarters of the figs containing multiple foundresses. The study also reported re-emerged foundresses and a 10% ratio of pollinated figs without foundresses. Local factors, such as the sampling period and tree identity, were the best predictors of the presence and number of each foundress species, with fig size also affecting the number of foundresses. The study highlights the variability in pollinator abundance between figs, crops, and trees. It also shows that the local environment of the trees and the availability of figs are crucial factors in determining which figs the pollinator wasps choose. These findings challenge assumptions about the classic mutualism model and suggest that long-term surveys are needed to estimate the relative contributions of each partner and provide data for evolutionary and ecological models. This study also provides valuable insights into the factors that affect the abundance and interactions of pollinator wasps during the receptive phase of fig development, with implications for understanding the behaviour of pollinating wasps and advancing our knowledge of population dynamics in Ficus species.

A new species and new records of the family Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Saudi Arabia

A new species of mymrid wasp, Lymaenon brara Zeya, Anwar & Ahmad, sp. nov. is described from Saudi Arabia. Two known species, L. taizensis Zeya & Amer, 2019, and Gonatocerus longicornis Nees, 1834, are newly recorded from Saudi Arabia. Additionally, four other species–Lymaenon aureus (Girault, 1911), L. delhiensis Narayanan & Subba Rao, 1989, L. litoralis (Haliday, 1833), and Gonatocerus aegyptiacus Soyka, 1950–are newly recorded from various provinces of Saudi Arabia. The male of L. taizensis is newly described. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D20CCF8C-FAC3-42C2-86C9-EE371495B98B

Thématisme et axiologie : Bergson, Ruyer

This article aims to present an important article by Raymond Ruyer, published in 1959, in which the author deals with instinct and the theory of thematism in Bergson, considering the case of the “Sphex,” a species of wasp that paralyses caterpillars to lay their eggs in them. Thematism, for Bergson, defines a profound notion of the functioning of instinct and presents itself as a real and non-mechanical point in front of which the different variations of behavior are executed. With the theory of theme and variation, Bergson proposes, as we know, an interpretation by sympathy, taking “wasp and caterpillar” as two activities. By taking up Bergson’s thesis, Ruyer considers that animal behavior is therefore not a precisely and blindly chained mechanism; instinct is creation and guidance in relation to themes that “fly over” the activities. Ruyer’s article has the merit of examining the notion of instinct as knowledge and discus the references used by Bergson. Defending Bergson against the accusations of using the Sphex case, Ruyer develops important considerations on the theory of instinct and thematism and, considering the problems dear to Bergsonism, he especially pays homage to the philosopher of creative evolution.

Horismenus camobiensis (Hym.: Eulophidae), a new hyperparasitoid of Cotesia invirae (Hym.: Braconidae) in Opsiphanes invirae (Lep.: Nymphalidae) pupae.

Horismenus camobiensis sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is described based on morphological, molecular and ecological data; this new species of chalcid wasp acts as hyperparasitoid of Opsiphanis invirae (Hübner, 1818) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in its parasitoid Cotesia invirae Salgado-Neto and Whitfield, 2019 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Diagnoses with morphological and molecular characters and illustrations are provided.

Refining the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna: some species of Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) erroneously reported for Brazil

Refining the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna: some species of Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) erroneously reported for Brazil

Species richness estimation of the Afrotropical Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae).

Species richness is one of the fundamental metrics of biodiversity. Estimating species richness helps spotlight taxonomic groups that are particularly under-studied, such as the highly diverse Darwin wasps. The only available estimate of the number of Darwin wasps in the Afrotropics proposed almost 11,000 species, compared to the 2,322 recorded species. However, it relied exclusively on the ratio of morphospecies to described species in Henry Townes' personal collection. We provide an updated estimate of the Afrotropical Darwin wasp species, using empirical data from multiple sources, including the increase in species numbers following generic revisions, morphospecies sorting in natural history collections, and diversity patterns of better-studied insects (butterflies) for extrapolation. Our analyses suggest that our knowledge of Darwin wasps is highly incomplete, with only 13-22% of species known in the five most extensively studied countries in the Afrotropics. We estimate 9,206-15,577 species of Darwin wasps within the entire Afrotropics, with the highest concentration expected in the Equatorial Afrotropics and Madagascar. Due to data constraints, our approach tends to underestimate diversity at each step, rendering the upper estimate (15,577 species) more realistic. We highlight reasons contributing to the gap between recorded and estimated species richness, including logistical and financial factors, as well as post-colonial influences.

Neopulvinaria innumerabilis (Rathvon, 1854), a new species of Coccidae in Serbia

In 2016, the species Neopulvinaria innumerabilis (Rathvon, 1854), belonging to the scale insect family Coccidae, was for the first time found in Serbia, in the location Radmilovac on Cornus sanguinea L. It reproduces by gamogenesis, develops one generation annually, and overwinters as a fertilized female on the trunk or branches of its host plant. During this research, the species was detected on five host plants at six locations in Serbia. It feeds by sucking sap from leaves, young shoots and branches of infested plants, causing desiccation of leaves and individual twigs. Four species of its natural enemies were collected and reared from colonies of N. innumerabilis. Two species of parasitoid wasps, Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Aphelinidae) and Metaphycus hageni Daane and Caltagirone (Encyrtidae), were found, while the ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus L. (Coccinellidae) and the fly Leucopomyia silesiaca (Egger) (Chamaemyiidae) were identified as predators. The most abundant entomophagous species was L. silesiaca.

Two Parasitic Wasp Species: Ichneumon sarcitorius and I. ostentator in Iraq

Kareem, A.A., A. Alsendi, S. Al-Zurfi, A. Alamri and R.K. Aljaafari. 2024. Two Parasitic Wasp Species: Ichneumon sarcitorius and I. ostentator in Iraq. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 245-247. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001226 This study was carried out in Karbala and Najaf cities in June 2020. A sweeping net was used to collect the specimens during the survey. Results obtained indicated that the samples collected belong to the Ichneumonidae family (Order: Hymenoptera), one of the large and long Ichneumon wasps. This is the first report on the occurrence of two Ichneumon species, Ichneumon sarcitorius (Linnaeus, 1758) and I. ostentator (Heinrich, 1978), in the Al-Husayniya district of Karbala and Najaf provinces in Iraq. However, more survey is needed to identify their hosts in Iraq. Keywords: Ichneumon sarcitorius, Ichneumon ostentator, Taxonomy, Iraq

Investigating momentum transfer with gall-forming wasps

Neuroterus saltatorius is a gall-forming wasp species endemic to the U.S. During summer, large numbers of galls detach from oak leaves and fall to the ground. They jump several times per minute in random directions earning them the moniker "jumping galls" or “flea seeds”. The mechanism behind this unique behavior has not been established, but one hypothesis suggests that encapsulated gall larva forces fluid through its U-shaped body at high speeds. The momentum of this fluid is transferred in such a way that a hopping motion occurs. We believe that understanding momentum transfer is important for applications focused on momentum transfer. Inspired by the jumping gall and to understand momentum transfer, we constructed a model using a mousetrap with attachable weights to demonstrate that a moving mass can cause jumping through momentum transfer. We predicted that adding weight to the arm would increase the jump height because the arm swings at the same speed with increased momentum from the larger mass. Increasing weights to the arm allowed us to identify the optimal mass for the highest jump. This modeling approach provided insights into the physical process underlying the galls' jumping behavior and extended beyond that. An application of the theory is to use momentum transfer when exploring microgravity environments like comets and asteroids because instrument packages cannot be moved by wheeled vehicles on extremely rough surfaces. An alternative is to construct robots capable of moving by momentum transfer.

Parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera) and Biological Control in Chile: Applications and Potentials

Global biodiversity decline and pollution, along with climate change, directly threaten food security and sovereignty. Unsustainable practices in industrial agriculture, including the introduction of non-native insects exacerbate this environmental crisis. These can invade native habitats and disrupt the ecological balance, leading to biodiversity loss. We created a database of parasitic wasp species used for biological control in Chile, examining the percentage of introduced and native species, introduction timelines, and host interactions. A total of 73% of the Hymenoptera used for biological control in Chile are exotic species. This trend has grown over decades as new species were continuously introduced, resulting in an increasing accumulation of exotic species. We also identified instances of native and introduced parasitoid species sharing the same hosts, potentially causing a spillover effect. Given Chile's high endemism in its insect population, the massive introduction of exotic species could have detrimental consequences for local biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems. Overreliance on non-native pest controllers impedes the use of existing native biological control species, increasing vulnerability to pests adapted to widely used biological control agents. We advocate for prioritizing local and native parasitic wasps to ensure long-lasting, and sustainable agriculture production in Chile while mitigating the negative impacts of exotic species.