Search

In recent studies, the yeast species Hanseniaspora uvarum and Lachancea thermotolerans were isolated from the digestive tract of four North American yellowjacket species (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), and attraction of yellowjackets to brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (all Saccharomycetaceae), growing on fruit powder was demonstrated. We tested the hypothesis that Vespula spp. are attracted to cultures of H. uvarum and L. thermotolerans and their respective volatiles. In field experiments, we found that H. uvarum and L. thermotolerans are attractive to three species of yellowjacket, but only when grown on grape juice‐infused yeast peptone dextrose (YPD) agar. Using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, we analyzed the headspace volatiles produced by these yeasts, and field tested an 18‐component yeast synthetic semiochemical blend. This synthetic blend attracted western yellowjackets, Vespula pensylvanica (Saussure), but no other yellowjacket species. Acetic acid or ethanol added to the synthetic blend at biologically relevant doses either had no effect or significantly lowered trap captures. Our results demonstrate that yeast symbionts isolated from the digestive tract of yellowjackets are attractive to their hosts. Further research is needed to identify the volatiles mediating attraction of species other than V. pensylvanica to the yeast cultures. Yellowjackets in the genus Vespula (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) harbor the yeasts Hanseniaspora uvarum and Lachancea thermotolerans (both Saccharomycetaceae) in their digestive tract. Our research demonstrates that yellowjackets are attracted to these yeasts growing on grape juice‐infused agar, and a synthetic blend of 18 volatiles produced by the yeasts is attractive to western yellowjackets, Vespula pensylvanica. The volatiles produced by symbiotic yeasts show potential for use as a yellowjacket trap bait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, we showed that the symbiotic yeast Lachancea thermotolerans (Filippov) (Saccharomycetales: Saccharomycetaceae) is attractive to its Vespula (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) yellowjacket hosts when grown on media supplemented with grape juice. We hypothesized that "Concerto", a commercial strain of this yeast, could be combined with fruit powder to form a shelf-stable bait for trapping yellowjackets. Using molecular techniques, we first confirmed that Concerto yeast is indeed the species L. thermotolerans. We then tested whether: 1) Concerto yeast produces volatiles similar to those produced by L. thermotolerans isolated from yellowjackets, 2) Concerto yeast enhances attraction of yellowjackets to fruit powder, 3) a Concerto yeast/fruit powder bait interacts synergistically with a yellowjacket semiochemical lure, and 4) a synthetic analog blend of Concerto-produced volatiles attracts yellowjackets. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that the chemical composition of Concerto-produced volatiles closely resembles that produced by a yellowjacket-isolated strain of L. thermotolerans. In field experiments, addition of Concerto to fruit powder doubled its attractiveness to yellowjackets. Addition of the Concerto/fruit powder bait to a heptyl butyrate–based wasp lure revealed a weak additive effect. A three-component synthetic analog blend of volatiles identified from the Concerto/fruit powder bait attracted Vespula pensylvanica (Saussure), but no other yellowjacket species. Our results suggest that commercial L. thermotolerans in combination with fruit powder could be used as a yellowjacket bait, and that addition of yeast-produced volatiles to a commercial wasp lure may improve its attractiveness to V. pensylvanica. Further research should determine why the synthetic volatile blend failed to attract Vespula species other than V. pensylvanica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Yellowjackets in the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula are prevalent eusocial insects of great ecological and economic significance, but the chemical signals of their sexual communication systems have defied structural elucidation. Herein, we report the identification of sex attractant pheromone components of virgin bald‐faced hornet queens (Dolichovespula maculata). We analyzed body surface extracts of queens by coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD), isolated the compounds that elicited responses from male antennae by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and identified these components by GC mass spectrometry (MS), HPLC‐MS, and NMR spectroscopy. In laboratory olfactometer experiments, synthetic (2Z,7E)‐3,7‐dimethyldeca‐2,7‐diendioic acid (termed here maculatic acid A) and (2Z,7E)‐10‐methoxy‐3,7‐dimethyldeca‐10‐oxo‐deca‐2,7‐dienoic acid (termed here maculatic acid C) in binary combination significantly attracted bald‐faced hornet males. These are the first sex attractant pheromone components identified in yellowjackets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baiting is an effective method to manage Vespula spp. yellowjacket (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) populations without having to locate and treat nests. Here, we assessed the utility of a commercially available polyacrylamide hydrogel as an alternative bait material for yellowjacket baiting. The experimental bait (hereafter referred to as ‘hydrogel bait’) consisted of diluted chicken juice (from canned chicken meat) and fipronil (0.025%, wt/wt) absorbed into granular polyacrylamide hydrogel particles. Three separate 24-h baiting trials were conducted at two different field sites with the western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica (Saussare), as the target species. The monitoring data from pre- and posttreatment periods indicated that baiting with polyacrylamide hydrogel baits provided ≈74–96% reduction in the foraging activity of V. pensylvanica during its active season. In addition to their ability to absorb large quantities of aqueous bait containing phagostimulants and toxicants, the hydrogels’ tactile resemblance to fresh meat upon hydration makes them a promising option as a non-meat material for delivering small amounts of insecticides to yellowjacket populations in a highly targeted manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Understanding the factors that affect animal dispersal behavior is important from both fundamental and applied perspectives. Dispersal can have clear evolutionary and ecological consequences, but for nonnative insect pests, dispersal capacity can also help to explain invasion success. Vespula germanica is a social wasp that, in the last century, has successfully invaded several regions of the world, showing one of the highest spread rates reported for a nonnative insect. In contrast with nonsocial wasps, in social species, queens are responsible for population redistribution and spread, as workers are sterile. For V. germanica, it has been observed that queen flight is limited to 2 distinct periods: early autumn, when new queens leave the nest to mate and find sheltered places in which to hibernate, and spring when new colonies are founded. Our aim was to study the flight behavior of V. germanica queens by focusing on the different periods in which dispersal occurs, characterizing as well the potential contribution of queen flight (i.e., distance) to the observed geographical spread. Our results suggest that the distances flown by nonoverwintered queens is greater than that flown by overwintered individuals, suggesting that the main queen dispersal events would occur before queens enter hibernation. This could relate to a behavioral trait of the queens to avoid the inbreeding with related drones. Additionally, given the short distances flown and remarkable geographical spread observed, we provide evidence showing that queen dispersal by flight is likely to contribute proportionately less to population spread than human‐aided factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular cross-reactivity caused by allergen homology or cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) is a major challenge for diagnosis and immunotherapy of insect venom allergy. Venom phospholipases A1 (PLA1s) are classical, mostly non-glycosylated wasp and ant allergens that provide diagnostic benefit for differentiation of genuine sensitizations from cross-reactivity. As CCD-free molecules, venom PLA1s are not causative for CCD-based cross-reactivity. Little is known however about the protein-based cross-reactivity of PLA1 within vespid species. Here, we address PLA1-based cross-reactivity among ten clinically relevant Hymenoptera venoms from Neotropical and temperate regions including Polybia paulista (paulistinha) venom and Vespula vulgaris (yellow jacket) venom. In order to evaluate cross-reactivity, sera of mice sensitized with recombinant PLA1 (rPoly p 1) from P. paulista wasp venom were used. Pronounced IgE and IgG based cross-reactivity was detected for wasp venoms regardless the geographical region of origin. The cross-reactivity correlated well with the identity of the primary sequence and 3-D models of PLA1 proteins. In contrast, these mice sera showed no reaction with honeybee (HBV) and fire ant venom. Furthermore, sera from patients monosensitized to HBV and fire ants did not recognize the rPoly p 1 in immunoblotting. Our findings reveal the presence of conserved epitopes in the PLA1s from several clinically relevant wasps as major cause of PLA1-based in vitro cross-reactivity. These findings emphasize the limitations but also the potential of PLA1-based HVA diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In theVespinae, morphological differences of castes are generally well-marked, except for some Vespa species, where it is difficult to distinguish between future queens and workers in autumn-winter colonies. Individual weights have widely been used as a distinguishing factor but recently cuticular hydrocarbon profiles seems to be the definitive tool, although much more expensive and time-consuming. Parameters such as size (mesoscutum width), wet and dry weight were analysed, throughout several colonies, to differentiate female castes (workers and gynes) in the hornet Vespa velutina in Europe. These parameters were compared to cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. The results showed that in late autumn, but not earlier, populations are divided into two size groups, which, based on their CHC profiles, can be hypothesized to correspond to workers and gynes. This differentiation mirrored a good separation by size that proves to be more accurate than weight (wet and dry). The size limit between workers and gynes is established at a mesoscutum width of 4.5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the roles of sex pheromones in mate-finding behavior of social wasps ( Vespidae). Working with the aerial yellowjacket, Dolichovespula arenaria ( Fabricius), baldfaced hornet, Dolichovespula maculata (L.), western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica ( Saussure), southern yellowjacket, Vespula squamosa ( Drury), and Vespula alascensis Packard, we tested the hypotheses (1) that gynes produce an airborne sex pheromone attractive to males, and (2) that males are more strongly attracted to non-sibling gynes based on olfactory cues. A field experiment provided the first definitive evidence that D. arenaria gynes attract males. Surprisingly, we did not find such evidence in similar field experiments for sexual attractiveness of gynes of V. squamosa, V. pensylvanica, V. alascensis, or D. maculata. In Y-tube olfactometer experiments with three of these species ( D. arenaria, D. maculata, V. pensylvanica), only D. maculata gynes attracted males, provided they were non-siblings, implying an olfactory-based mechanism of nestmate recognition and inbreeding avoidance. Lack of sex attraction responses for V. pensylvanica, V. alascensis, and V. squamosa in this study does not rule out pheromone-mediated sexual communication. Instead, it highlights the possibility that pheromonal signaling may be dependent on the presence of appropriate contextual cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nest structure, larval characters both in morphology and behaviour have contributed to the phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of social vespids. In a highly developed eusocial wasp group such as the genusDolichovespula, the knowledge of all castes is important to judge the validity of a species. Unfortunately, a few species of this genus are reported based on limited material. Among them,Dolichovespula stigmaLee, 1986 is known from workers only, as well asDolichovespula baileyiArcher, 1987, which is only known from a queen. During the nearly 30 years since its description, there has been no additional information forthcoming. Recently, two ground nests ofDolichovespula stigmaLee, 1986, were discovered on the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi, China) and all three castes of this species were collected for the first time. The nest structure, the male and the immature stages are newly described. As a result,D. baileyiArcher, 1987, is synonymized withD. stigmaLee, 1986 (syn. nov.). The status of species groups in this genus is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Several yellowjacket species are important pests in both their native habitat and in areas where they are invasive. Traps that contain one or more chemical attractants to lure insects inside are commonly used to combat these yellowjackets in urban environments. Usually, attractants are placed within the trap and combined indiscriminately, though little is known about how this design influences trap attractiveness or efficacy. Here, using the common attractant heptyl butyrate in combination with chicken extract, we demonstrate that spatial partitioning of attractants results in increased capture of the western yellowjacket Vespula pensylvanica--a widespread pestiferous species. Specifically, we show that partitioning of these attractants results in increased visitation of yellowjackets to a trap while also leading to more individuals entering the trap. Further, we provide evidence that this effect is driven by the ability of heptyl butyrate to function as an attractant to the general location of the trap while also blocking the effects of meat extract as a trap-entering stimulus. Thus, our data challenge the current paradigm of combining attractants inside yellowjacket traps, and suggest that these methods can be improved through the consideration of spatial variables and interactions. Our results not only provide novel insight into the mechanisms of yellowjacket attraction, but are also likely to be applicable to the control of other insects for which attractant-based traps are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogenetic relationships among genera of the subfamily Vespinae (yellowjackets and hornets) remain unclear. Yellowjackets and hornets constitute one of the only two lineages of highly eusocial wasps, and the distribution of key behavioral traits correlates closely with the current classification of the group. The potential of the Vespinae to elucidate the evolution of social life, however, remains limited due to ambiguous genus-level relationships. Here, we address the relationships among genera within the Vespinae using transcriptomic (RNA-seq) data. We sequenced the transcriptomes of six vespid wasps, including three of the four genera recognized in the Vespinae, combined our data with publicly available transcriptomes, and assembled two matrices comprising 1,507 and 3,356 putative single-copy genes. The results of our phylogenomic analyses recover Dolichovespula as more closely related to Vespa than to Vespula , therefore challenging the prevailing hypothesis of yellowjacket ( Vespula + Dolichovespula ) monophyly. This suggests that traits such as large colony size and high paternity arose in the genus Vespula following its early divergence from the remaining vespine genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background No study has assessed the diagnostic sensitivity of rApi m 1 and rVes v 5 on Immulite testing system. Objective To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of commercially available venom recombinant allergens between the currently available immunoassays [Immuno CAP ( CAP) and Immulite ( LITE)] and establish their correlation with the severity of the sting reaction. Methods This study evaluated 95 bee venom and 110 yellow jacket venom-allergic subjects. We measured the levels of sIgE to rApi m 1, rVes v 5 ( LITE and CAP), rApi m 2 ( LITE), rVes v 1 ( CAP) and total IgE ( CAP). Forty-nine healthy subjects served as controls. Results The diagnostic sensitivity of rApi m 1 and rVes v 5 was significantly higher with the LITE than with the CAP system (71% vs. 88% and 82% vs. 93%). The specificity of both assays for both allergens was between 94% and 98%. Twenty-nine patients that tested negative for rApi m 1 or rVes v 5 with CAP were positive with LITE, but none of the patients that tested negative with LITE were positive with CAP. The positive values of rApi m 1 and rVes v 5 were on average 2.7 and 2.3 times higher, with the LITE than with the CAP system. The combination of rApi m 1 and rApi m 2 ( LITE) and the combination of rVes v 5 ( LITE) and rVes v 1 ( CAP) almost matched the sensitivity of native venoms (95% and 97%, respectively), whereas the diagnostic sensitivity of the combination of rVes v 5 and rVes v 1 ( CAP) did not reach the sensitivity of rVes v 5 ( LITE) alone (90% vs. 93%). IgE levels to venom recombinants and total IgE did not correlate with the severity of sting reaction. Conclusions & Clinical Relevance The use of rApi m 1 and rVes v 5 with the LITE system significantly enhanced diagnostic utility of venom recombinants and should improve the dissection of bee and yellow jacket venom allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Invasive wasps have major impacts on bird populations and other biodiversity in New Zealand beech forests, and new solutions are needed for their management. Baits were combined from four phylogenetically diverse sources (protein and carbohydrate) to improve attraction to a level that could be used as the basis for more powerful attract-and-kill systems. Many compounds from honey, scale insect honeydew, fermenting brown sugar and green-lipped mussels were highly attractive and, when combined, outcompeted known attractants. RESULTS The equivolumetric lure (equal parts of 3-methylbut-1-yl acetate, 2-ethyl-1-butanol, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, methyl phenylacetate and heptyl butanoate), gave a 5-10-fold improvement over the known attractant, octyl butanoate, and other previously patented lures. An economically optimised lure of the same compounds, but in a ratio of 2:1.6:1:1:2:2.4, was equally attractive as the equal-ratio lure. Pilot mass trapping attempts with this latter lure revealed that >400 wasps trap−1 day−1 could be caught at the peak of the season. CONCLUSION The new lures are comprised of compounds from animals, plants and fungi, thus targeting the omnivorous behaviour of these wasps. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the report of the extent of predation on hummingbird nestlings by wasps on July 29, 2018. Topics discussed include information on the predation of Black-chinned Hummingbird; discussions on the predation of the nestlings by the yellowjackets; and the information on the several reports of vespid predation on birds.

Recombinant allergens improve the diagnostic precision in Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA), in particular in patients with double sensitization to both honey bee (HBV) and yellow jacket venom (YJV). While currently available vespid allergens allow the detection of >95% of YJV-allergic patients, the sensitization frequency to the only available HBV marker allergen rApi m 1 in HBV-allergic patients is lower. Here, we demonstrate that sIgE to additional HBV marker allergens rApi m 3 and rApi m 10 allows the detection of genuine HBV sensitization in 46-65% of Api m 1 negative sera. This is of particular relevance in patients with double sensitization to HBV and YJV that did not identify the culprit insect. Addition of sIgE to rApi m 3 and rApi m 10 provides evidence of HBV sensitization in a large proportion of rApi m 1-negative patients and thus provides a diagnostic marker and rationale for VIT treatment with HBV, which otherwise would have been missing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatiotemporal variation in access to resources modulates foraging behavior. Because flexible foraging and subsequent shifting niches can have cascading effects on food webs, it becomes critical to understand what and how information is used during foraging. Yellowjackets are efficient foragers, quickly relocating rewarding resources. Foraging context and the degree of experience were found to affect subsequent behavior and foraging success. An individual forager's likelihood of relocation was highest for carbohydrates compared to protein and for higher-quality baits. While there was no evidence that odor marking is involved in relocation of sucrose baits, foragers did utilize visual landmarks in the context of protein scavenging. Wasps with limited experience (<4 visits) with a bait responded the most to landmark displacement. However, more experienced wasps avoided misdirection and correctly cued in on the bait. Commensurate with training, a wasp forager visited more often and improved search times at the exact resource location despite displaced landmarks. Successful wasps may detect and associate multiple cues with the training micro-site; such integration of cues could allow the wasps to return to a specific location, even when obvious cues are displaced. Thus, reinforced associative learning likely contributes substantially to foraging patterns and ultimately invasion success, with resource reliability playing a large role. This emphasizes the importance of controlling for experience when comparing foraging across treatments or studies for social wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We investigated the phylogeny of yellowjacket wasps (Vespula and Dolichovespula) using a multilocus data set. [•] Yellowjacket genera and species groups are monophyletic and strongly supported. [•] Our results differ in part from previous phylogenetic analyses. [•] The sister relationship between genera Vespula and Dolichovespula requires further investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge) is an oil-rich seed shrub that grows well in cold, barren environments and has great potential for biodiesel production in China. However, the limited genetic data means that little information about the key genes involved in oil biosynthesis is available, which limits further improvement of this species. In this study, we describe sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly to produce the first comprehensive and integrated genomic resource for yellow horn and identify the pathways and key genes related to oil accumulation. In addition, potential molecular markers were identified and compiled. Methodology/Principal Findings: Total RNA was isolated from 30 plants from two regions, including buds, leaves, flowers and seeds. Equal quantities of RNA from these tissues were pooled to construct a cDNA library for 454 pyrosequencing. A total of 1,147,624 high-quality reads with total and average lengths of 530.6 Mb and 462 bp, respectively, were generated. These reads were assembled into 51,867 unigenes, corresponding to a total of 36.1 Mb with a mean length, N50 and median of 696, 928 and 570 bp, respectively. Of the unigenes, 17,541 (33.82%) were unmatched in any public protein databases. We identified 281 unigenes that may be involved in de novo fatty acid (FA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis and metabolism. Furthermore, 6,707 SSRs, 16,925 SNPs and 6,201 InDels with high-confidence were also identified in this study. Conclusions: This transcriptome represents a new functional genomics resource and a foundation for further studies on the metabolic engineering of yellow horn to increase oil content and modify oil composition. The potential molecular markers identified in this study provide a basis for polymorphism analysis of Xanthoceras, and even Sapindaceae; they will also accelerate the process of breeding new varieties with better agronomic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the distribution and spread of the invasive social wasp Vespula germanica in Argentina, focusing on the contribution of queen dispersal to territorial expansion. Vespula germanica is native to Eurasia and has invaded several regions of the world, including Southern Argentina. Flight potential of field-collected queens was measured using flight mills. Also, by means of an extensive survey we estimated the rate of spread by analysing the relationship between years since arrival and distance from the introduction locality. The mean distance flown by wasp queens in flight mills was 404.7 ± 140.8 m (mean ± SE, n = 59), while the rate of spread of V. germanica was estimated at 37.2 ± 2.1 km year−1 (mean ± SE, n = 67), although faster towards the south. The observed spread rate of V. germanica wasps in Argentina confirms the invasive potential shown by several Hymenoptera species worldwide. Still, a stratified geographical expansion pattern does not match observed queen dispersal abilities, suggesting that human-aided transport of hibernating queens is the central driver of the current distribution of these wasps. We suggest that despite several life-history traits known for social insects that contribute to successful invasion, wasp spread must still rely strongly on human mediated pathways. This observation sheds light on those factors that are crucial for managing invasions of this and related pestiferous wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanic eruptions have important effects on terrestrial ecosystems. The biotic effects of volcanic ash on insect populations vary from widespread and catastrophic to subtle and localized. Volcanic eruptions may increase insect mortality through the effects of the ash plume, and these vary by taxon or specific biological features. The Puyehue- Cordon Caulle Volcanic Complex is the most recent eruption in Patagonia. Here we explore and describe the effects of the eruption of this volcanic complex on invasive Vespula spp. populations. These wasps are very abundant social hymenoptera that have recently invaded Patagonia. We placed baited traps following the gradient of deposited ash, and revisited them once a week during February to April. No wasps were caught where ash deposition levels exceeded 3.0 cm. The number of wasps caught in sites with minimal ash deposits was similar to that of previous years. In locations where ash layers are intermediate, a few wasps were observed, but only during the peak of wasp abundance. We show that Vespula spp. populations were severely affected by the ash deposition and plume, caused by this eruption. These results show catastrophic effects of ash deposition over a large area, even at great distances from the eruption epicenter. We conclude that wasp mortality explained by the volcanic eruption may reach distant areas, and cause local extinction. In areas where active volcanoes are common, invasive insects may encounter an additional obstacle in their invasion success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Wasp venom allergy is a potentially life-threatening condition with serious consequences of diagnostic error. Objective To assess whether component-resolved diagnosis, using non-glycosylated recombinant allergen components from yellow jacket can add to the diagnosis of wasp venom allergy. Methods In total, 148 patients with a wasp (yellow jacket) allergy were included, 91 with unequivocal tests, 26 with double positivity of serum-specific IgE (sIgE) to both venoms, 21 with discrepant sIgE and skin test results and finally 10 having their diagnosis only confirmed by basophil activation test (negative sIgE and skin test results). Specific IgE to recombinant species-specific allergen components Ves v 1 and Ves v 5 from yellow jacket, Api m 1 from honeybee and Ves v 5 complemented wasp venom were tested by ImmunoCAP. Results Overall, combined use of sIgE to rVes v 1 and rVes v 5 allowed correct diagnosis in 139 of the 148 patients (94%) and rApi m 1 was demonstrable in only one patient. Supplementing the traditional yellow jacket allergosorbent with rVes v 5 allowed to correctly diagnose wasp allergy in patients sensitized to Ves v 5 but demonstrating a negative sIgE to wasp venom. Conclusion Component-resolved diagnoses with the wasp-specific recombinant allergen components Ves v 1 and Ves v 5 is a reliable method to diagnose yellow jacket allergy and can help to take out the sting of difficult cases. However, as the number of patients with doubt after conventional tests is small, larger collaborative studies are needed to draw more definitive conclusions. Whether the rVes v 5 supplemented yellow jacket allergosorbent constitutes an asset in the diagnostic management of wasp venom allergy remains to be further established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species of paper wasps in the tribe Vespini, family Vespidae from America North of Mexico are reviewed, including a new identification key to the genera and species, complete synonymy, distribution and biology. This fauna includes six species of Dolichovespula Rohwer, three species of Vespa Linnaeus and 13 species of Vespula Thomson. No Holarctic species are recognized, with the result that Dolichovespula arctica (Rohwer) and Vespula intermedia (du Buysson) are again recognized as species, while Vespula infernalis (de Saussure) is given new status as a species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, biodiesel production from yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge.) seed oil using ion exchange resin as heterogeneous catalyst was investigated. After illustration of the mechanisms of transesterification reactions catalyzed by typical ion exchange resins, the factors affecting microwave-assisted transesterification process were studied. A high conversion yield of about 96% was achieved under optimal conditions using high alkaline anion exchange resins as catalyst. Analyzing the FAMEs composition by GC–MS and main physical–chemical properties demonstrated that the biodiesel product prepared from yellow horn seed oil was of high quality. Compared with conventional alkali catalyst, the outstanding characteristics of reusability and operational stability made the resin catalyst more predominant for biodiesel production. In addition, a comprehensive kinetic model was established for analyzing the reaction. The results of present research showed that microwave-assisted transesterification process catalyzed by high alkaline anion exchange resin was a green, effective and economic technology for biodiesel industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vssilk 5 is a gene encoding a component protein of the silk produced by the larvae of the yellow hornet (Vespa simillima, Vespinae, Vespidae). In this study, we deduced the complete cDNA sequence of Vssilk 5. It was found that 2 silk proteins, Vssilk 5N and Vssilk 5C, in the cocoon of the yellow hornet are both encoded by the Vssilk 5 gene. Vssilk 5N and 5C are the N- and C-terminal regions, respectively, of the Vssilk 5 pro-protein (Vssilk 5p). The complete amino acid sequences of Vssilk 5N and Vssilk 5C were deduced. Although a non-repetitive amino acid sequence and coiled-coil structure are properties common to the major components of silk proteins produced by the larvae of the social superfamilies Apoidea and Vespoidea of the Apocrita, nearly the entire sequence of Vssilk 5C consisted of a repeated sequence of amino acids, and the calculated coiled-coil probability for this protein was low. Vssilk 5N is a protein without a repetitive amino acid sequence and has a low coiled-coil probability. Moreover, we found a water soluble protein, Vssilk 5S that is likely segmented from Vssilk 5C and contains an N-terminal sequence identical to that of Vssilk 5C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background In hymenoptera-venom allergy, sera of up to 60% of patients show in vitro reactivity to honeybee venom (HBV) and yellow jacket venom (YJV). This phenomenon is mainly caused by specific IgE (sIgE) against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD). Whether or not these antibodies can induce clinical symptoms is a longstanding debate. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the biological activity of CCD-sIgE and the suitability of the basophil activation test (BAT) in hymenoptera venom-allergic patients having CCD-sIgE. Methods The biological activity of CCD-sIgE was analysed by application of native and CCD-depleted YJV and HBV in BAT with the blood of 62 hymenoptera venom-allergic patients and 16 non-allergic controls. According to results of intracutaneous skin tests (IC) with YJV and HBV and the existence of CCD-sIgE, patients were classified into six subgroups. Results In patients with mono-positive IC and CCD-sIgE, and thus double-positive sIgE, BAT with native venoms was also double positive in up to 67% of the patients. In contrast, BAT with CCD-depleted venoms was positive only with the IC-positive venom. However, activation of basophils with the IC-negative venom was significantly lower compared with the IC-positive one. In IC mono-positive patients without CCD-sIgE, BAT was mono-positive with the IC-positive venom in the native and in the CCD-depleted form. CCD-positive patients with double-positive IC were a heterogeneous group, with the majority of CCD-positive patients also being double positive with the native forms of both venoms but mono-positive with the CCD-depleted ones. Conclusions In vitro BAT clearly demonstrates biological activity of CCD-sIgE. However, because most of the patients showed a mono-positive IC and activation of basophils with the IC-negative venom was significantly lower compared with the IC-positive one, the present data suggest that CCD-sIgE is clinically irrelevant in these patients. Cite this as: M. Mertens, S. Amler, B. M. Moerschbacher and R. Brehler, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1333–1345. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Yellow jacket (Vespula vulgaris) hyaluronidase (Ves v 2) is a glycoprotein and a mixture of two isoallergens, Ves v 2.01 and Ves v 2.02. Wasp and bee sensitized individuals frequently show IgE antibodies that in vitro recognize common carbohydrate structures across the hymenoptera species. The aim of the study was to characterize the glycosylation patterns in Ves v 2 isoallergens and to assess their immunological properties regarding antibody binding and T cell activation. The glycosylation sites and the carbohydrate structures were verified by use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The immunological characterization of the N-glycan structures was assessed by antibody binding, T cell proliferation and T cell epitope assays comparing native (n) and non-glycosylated recombinant (r) Ves v 2. Analyses of the Ves v 2 glycopeptides revealed that glycan attachments were found for residues 79, 99 and 127 of Ves v 2.01, and residues 66 and 81 of Ves v 2.02. Structural analysis of the glycopeptides showed that the majority of the N-glycans contained at least one α1,3-fucose and/or α1,6-fucose residues in a structure. Interestingly, serum IgE antibodies from vespid allergic patients recognized nVes v 2 but not rVes v 2. Non-glycosylated rVes v 2, however, induced T cell and cytokine responses comparable to glycosylated nVes v 2. The present study shows that N-glycan structures are needed for the antibody recognition but not for the T cell reactivity of Ves v 2 in vitro. The occurrences of carbohydrate-specific antibodies against nVes v 2, however, suggest that non-mammalian glycan structures as in nVes v 2 may provide a link between T cells and other effector cells in allergic responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background In many European centers insect venom allergic patients with a reaction confined to the skin are only offered an epinephrine auto-injector and not venom immunotherapy (VIT). Previously we showed that VIT improves health-related quality of life (HRQL) of yellow jacket allergic patients with more than dermal reactions. Objective To examine whether HRQL of dermal reactors is impaired and to examine the influence of VIT on HRQL in comparison with the EpiPen®. Methods Patients with solely dermal reactions were asked if they were willing to be randomized either to VIT or EpiPen®, after receiving patient information. Before and 1 year after enrollment, patients completed the Vespid allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ), Burden of Treatment and Expectation of Outcome. Results Of 55 patients eligible for the study, 29 consented to randomization: 15 to VIT, 14 to EpiPen®. The remaining 26 patients preferred to choose their treatment: 11 VIT and 15 EpiPen®. The VQLQ score of patients randomized to VIT improved (mean change 0.83 (SD 0.87), in contrast to patients randomized to the EpiPen® whose scores deteriorated (mean change −0.42 (SD 0.64), P<0.0001), resulting in an overall difference of 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–1.87]. With a minimal important difference of 0.5 indicating a clinically significant improvement, VIT generated an number needed to treat (NNT) of 1.7. Dermal reactors did not consider VIT burdensome and rated this treatment as being superior to the EpiPen®. Conclusion VIT results in a clinically significant improvement of HRQL in most patients with reactions limited to the skin following yellow jacket stings. Prescription of an EpiPen® in patients not choosing this treatment is associated with deterioration in HRQL and should therefore be avoided as definitive treatment in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Insects are commonly found by Hawaii's quarantine inspectors on Christmas trees imported from the Pacific Northwest. To reduce the risk of importing yellowjacket ( Vespula spp.) queens and other insects, an inspection and tree shaking certification program was begun in 1990. From 1993 to 2006, the annual percentage of shipped containers rated by Hawaii quarantine inspectors as moderately or highly infested with insects was significantly higher for manually shaken trees than for mechanically shaken trees. Between 1993 and 2001, 343 insect species in total were recovered from Christmas trees. Live western yellowjacket [Vespula pensylvanica (Saussure)] queens were intercepted both from containers certified as manually shaken and from containers certified as mechanically shaken. The standard manual shaking protocol removed about one-half of the queens from Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] trees that were naturally infested with western yellowjacket queens. We investigated the use of preharvest sprays of permethrin as a complement to shaking procedures used to control yellowjackets and other insects. Western yellowjacket queens and honey bees (surrogates for wasp pests) were exposed to Noble fir foliage that had been sprayed in the field with permethrin >6 wk before harvest. Pesticide residues provided complete control (moribundity or mortality) in both species. The sprays did not affect needle retention or quality of Noble fir foliage. We conclude that preharvest sprays of pyrethroid insecticides could be used in combination with mechanical shaking to greatly reduce the quarantine risk of yellowjacket queens and other insects in exported Christmas trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study represents the first sperm description of a Vespinae species (Vespa crabro). The acrosome consists of an acrosomal vesicle and a perforatorium. The nucleus has compact chromatin and shows lenticular structures on the nuclear envelope. These structures, which have never been observed in a hymenopteran sperm, could be clusters of nuclear pores. The centriolar adjunct has an asymmetric pattern and shows a structured periphery. The centriole consists of 9 accessory microtubules and 9 doublet microtubules devoid of arms and spokes. The axoneme has a 9+9+2 microtubule pattern and the accessory microtubules have 16 protofilaments. The mitochondrial derivatives differ in length and diameter. The larger one is adjacent to the nuclear base, while the smaller one begins below the centriolar adjunct. They possess three distinct areas and a large paracrystalline region, which occurs only in the large one. The large mitochondrial derivative ends first, followed by the small one. The axoneme gradually disorganizes: first the central microtubules disappear, then the doublets, which show opened B-tubules, and finally the accessory microtubules. The sperm morphology of V. crabro is very similar to that of the polistine wasp, Agelaia vicina. This can indicate that, in Vespidae, sperm morphology is maintained without important variations among subfamilies and/or that this similarity indicates close phylogenetic relationship between these two subfamilies. Although Vespidae phylogenetically related to Formicidae, these data suggest that the former more closely related to Apoidea than to Formicidae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Our aim was to test a set of baits and pesticides for the control of yellowjacket populations in NW Patagonia (Argentina), through field trials. We tested the attractiveness of protein (fresh and freeze-dried beef) and carbohydrate (corn syrup and honey) baits (alone and mixed) and three pesticides commonly employed to control terrestrial domestic arthropods (hydramethylnon 2%, permethrin 0.3% and chlorpyrifos 0.25%). Our results show that beef proved to be the most attractive bait tested, for Vespula germanica wasps in NW Patagonia. Honey and corn syrup alone or mixed with beef did not attract foraging wasps as did beef-only baits throughout the wasp season. Additionally, we show that the attractiveness of lyophilized beef baits is similar to that of fresh beef. The efficacy of the insecticides tested was limited. In fact, only baiting with hydramethylnon 2% reduced wasp populations (54%) and this occurred after 72 h since poisoning. However, given the potential of insects to develop resistance to a consistent use of a single product (e.g. fipronil 0.1%), the use of hydramethylnon may allow the alternating of insecticides in specific situations. The information provided here contributes to the existent knowledge on baits and insecticides for the control of yellowjackets using toxic baits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yellow jacket wasp, Vespula germanica F., is considered a serious pest of productive and recreational activities worldwide. A pathogenicity study was carried out with 29 strains of Metarhizium anisopliae and 30 of Beauveria bassiana against worker and male wasps. Wasps of the same age were fed with liquid sugar baits containing 1 x 108 conidia mL-1 suspensions of each strain. The highest mortality and sporulation were obtained with the strains Qu-B941 and Qu-B933 of Beauveria bassiana, reaching 79 and 95% mortality for workers and 66 and 73% for males, respectively. The strains were tested on workers of V. germanica with increasing amounts of bait from 0 to 1 x 108 conidia mL-1 The results also showed that 1 x 108 conidia mL-1 increased up to 90 and 97% the mortality of workers with Qu-B941 and Qu-B933 strains, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated field-based recruitment via visual, chemical and acoustic cues provided by conspecific wasps on carbohydrate feeders in Vespula koreensis. A wild colony nest was excavated and artificially installed in a field site. Naïve foragers were individually marked and trained to an experimental feeder. We conducted three separate experiments in which foragers were presented with feeder dishes with different cue intensities. For the first, a different number of decoys were posed as if feeding (visual cue). In the second, dishes had been previously visited by different numbers of individuals, thus presenting different concentrations of a possible food site marking substance (chemical cue). In the third, each dish was placed in front of a covered flask with a different number of nestmates inside (acoustic cue combined with body-odor cue). We observed no social facilitation or social inhibition due to any of the experimental cues. Previous studies in Vespula species have shown a variety of foraging strategies ranging from local enhancement to local inhibition. Field-based recruitment mechanisms in yellowjackets may have evolved independently in different lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past 15 years in the Ina Valley, Japan, mature fifth instar larvae of the yellow hornet, Vespa simillima, have been occasionally ejected from colonies during September. During 2005, this unusual behavior was particularly widespread, and collection of several V. simillima colonies confirmed that very few fifth instar larvae were present. When compared with an average colony, constructed from 41 colonies collected 20 years previously, colonies in 2005 had 80% fewer fifth instar larvae, despite queen egg-laying rates remaining similar. It may be that the amount of food provided to the larvae by workers is less than the amount of larval secretions received by workers, which is causing the larvae to become emaciated and preventing them from pupating. This phenomenon normally occurs naturally at the end of the colony cycle in November, when prey abundance decreases and larval secretions or other sources of carbohydrates, for example from ripe fruit, tree sap, or aphid secretions, are needed by sexuals to build up fat reserves. However, another possibility is that the unexplained appearance of this phenomenon in September, which is causing colonies to collapse without producing any or very few sexuals, is due to foragers feeding the larvae prey that are contaminated with insect growth regulators, via pesticides, which are known to prevent successful pupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The German yellowjacket, Vespula germanica (F.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), was introduced into Australia in 1959 and has established throughout southern Australia. In urban environments, V. germanica is frequently a nuisance pest at public gatherings and to homeowners. In native environments, it has the potential to pose a threat to native invertebrates. The current practice for controlling the wasps is nest destruction with pesticide. However, locating the nest (s) is not always practical or possible. Meat baits impregnated with an insecticide that foraging wasps cut and carry back to the nest offer a means of suppressing wasps where the nest sites are unknown. The success of meat baits depends on the attractiveness and acceptance of the meat to the wasp and the mode of action of the insecticide. Our objective was to determine wasp preference and acceptance of five processed meats: canned chicken or fish and freeze-dried chicken, fish, or kangaroo. We found that more wasps visited and took freeze-dried kangaroo and canned chicken than the other baits. Canned and freeze-dried fish were similarly preferred, and freeze-dried chicken was the least attractive and accepted by foraging wasps. Our findings demonstrate that wasps prefer some processed meats and hence take more loads back to the nest. By combining a suitable insecticide with a meat bait preferred by wasps, the likelihood of effective suppression of nuisance wasp populations should be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyaluronidase (E.C. 3.2.1.35), one of the three major allergens of yellow jacket venom, is a glycoprotein of 45 kDa that is largely responsible for the cross-reactivity of wasp and bee venoms with sera of allergic patients. The asparagine-linked carbohydrate often appears to constitute the common IgE-binding determinant. Using a combination of MALDI MS and HPLC of 2-aminopyridine-labelled glycans, we found core-difucosylated paucimannosidic glycans to be the major species in the 43–45 kDa band of Vespula vulgaris and also in the corresponding bands of venoms from five other wasp species ( V. germanica, V. maculifrons, V. pensylvanica, V. flavopilosa and V. squamosa). Concomitant peptide mapping of the V. vulgaris 43 kDa band identified the known hyaluronidase, Ves v 2 (SwissProt P49370), but only as a minor component. De novo sequencing by tandem MS revealed the predominating peptides to resemble a different, yet homologous, sequence. cDNA cloning retrieved a sequence with 58 and 59% homology to the previously known isoform and to the Dolichovespula maculata and Polistes annularis hyaluronidases. Close homologues of this new, putative hyaluronidase b (Ves v 2b) were also the major isoform in the other wasp venoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior work has shown that yellowjacket waSPS remember food odors and use them as cues when foraging. There is also evidence they have mechanisms to recruit nest mates to highly rewarding food sources, as naïve individuals are more likely to go to food sources with scents similar to those visited by nest mates. We asked whether recruitment requires behavioral stimulation by returning foragers, as in honey bees, or if sampling the food source inside the nest is sufficient. We tested this by eliminating the behavior of returning foragers by inserting a scented sugar solution directly into a Vespula germanica nest. Exiting foragers were given a choice of the test scent and a control scent. WaSPS were more likely to choose the test scent. We conclude that behavioral interactions with returning foragers are not necessary to stimulate nest mates to associate an odor with a food source and search for a resource bearing that odor, and that experience with the scented reward inside the nest is sufficient to achieve this result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the mating frequencies of queens in a social wasp,Dolichovespula arenaria(Vespinae) using DNA microsatellites. Five of the seven colonies supported the hypothesis of single mating by queens. The other two colonies supported two and three matings, with effective paternity of 1.48 and 1.91. Mean worker relatedness was 0.77 ± 0.09. In two of the four male-containing colonies, all were likely progeny of the queen. In the other two colonies workers produced 8 and 14% of the male wasps. Overall, 94.3% of the male wasps were likely progeny of the queen. These patterns are consistent with published studies of vespine wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on newly collected and museum material, the distribution of species of the Vespinae in the Kyrghyz Republic is discussed. Vespula austriaca is recorded for the first time from Kyrghyzstan. Dolichovespula norwegica is first reported in the Pamir-Alai Mountains, providing the southernmost record for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to provide the first complete description of ventilating activity undertaken by the Oriental hornet. At the portal of each nest of the Oriental hornet ( Vespa orientalis, Hymenoptera, Vespinae) there are worker hornets that beat their wings in synchrony with one another, during summer months and at the onset of daylight. These ventilating hornets stand at regular intervals around the nest entrance, not touching, and with their heads facing largely outwards. Although the ventilating hornets stand apart from one another, their wings beat at a uniform pace and there is no connection whatsoever between these hornets and the sentinel worker hornet (or hornets) that inspect those entering the nest. The ventilatory wing beating lasts 3.4 min on average, and upon completion, the ventilating worker either emerges to forage in the field or more often retreats back into the nest. Young queens have seldom been seen ventilating and males have never been seen engaged in such activity. Ordinarily, no ventilatory activity takes place upon the brood combs inside, such as is observed in artificial breeding boxes with a transparent wall, but on rare occasions ventilation may also occur on the inner side of the portal. In cases where there is more than one portal to the nest, the ventilatory activity will occur at each of these sites. Apparently every hornet worker engages in such ventilation at one time or another and their number at any one time is temperature-dependent, that is, the higher the ambient temperature the greater the number the hornets participating in ventilation. Indeed the correlation between the temperature and the ventilatory activity is positive and highly significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow jackets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) are attracted to the typically ant-dispersed seeds of trilliums and will take seeds from ants in the genus Aphaenogaster. To determine if yellow jacket, Vespula maculifrons (Buysson), presence interferes with seed foraging by ants, we presented seeds of Trillium discolor Wray to three species (A. texana carolinensis Wheeler, Formica schaufussi Mayr, and Solenopsis invicta Buren) of seed-carrying ants in areas where vespids were present or excluded. We found that interspecific aggression between yellow jackets and ants is species specific. Vespid presence decreased average foraging time and increased foraging efficiency of two of the three ant species studied, a situation that might reflect competition for a limited food source. We also found that yellow jackets removed more seeds than ants, suggestive that vespids are important, albeit underestimated, components of ant-seed mutualisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local enhancement has been shown to occur in the social wasp Vespula germanica (F.), a species that feeds on live insects as well as on dead animals. Some studies suggest local enhancement is based on sight, whereas others suggest that odors emanating from wasp bodies are more important in attracting conspecifc workers to a food source. We studied whether the attraction of V. germanica foragers to meat baits increases by the addition of live conspecific foragers and analyzed which cues (olfactory and visual) elicit this attraction. Our results show that the combination of meat and wasps strongly enhances the attraction of conspecific foragers. Presenting both visual and olfactory cues together leads to a wasp response that is much greater than if isolated visual or isolated olfactory cues were added, suggesting some synergistic action of both cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]