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Cilia G, Caringi V, Zavatta L, Bortolotti L. Pathogen occurrence in different developmental stages of the invasive Vespa velutina nigrithorax (Buysson, 1905). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 39054884 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is a predatory species native to South-East Asia. The hornet is invasive in Europe, spreading to several countries and becoming a pest for Apis mellifera due to its behaviour of preying in front of apiaries. The aim of this study was (i) to investigate the presence of honey bee pathogens within the developmental stages of V. velutina after neutralizing a nest in Bologna province (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) and (ii) to analyze the mitochondrial DNA to determine if the population derived from the population initially introduced in Europe. RESULTS The results indicated that deformed wing virus (82.76%) and Nosema ceranae (67.28%) were the most prevalent pathogens. Deformed wing virus, N. ceranae and sacbrood virus were found in all investigated stages, while chronic bee paralysis virus and Kashmir bee virus were exclusively found in foraging adults. All detected viruses were found to be replicative, highlighting active infection in the hosts. The mtDNA analysis demonstrated that the origin derived from the invasive population arrived in France. CONCLUSION This study underscores the importance of further research to understand the effect of interspecific transmission, especially concerning the potential role of these pathogens as a biocontrol for the invasive V. velutina nigrithorax. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cilia
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Caringi
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Zavatta
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Bortolotti
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Bologna, Italy
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Herrera C, Pinto MA, Leza M, Alemany I, Jurado‐Rivera JA. Niche modelling and landscape genetics of the yellow-legged hornet ( Vespa velutina): An integrative approach for evaluating central-marginal population dynamics in Europe. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70029. [PMID: 39050656 PMCID: PMC11267635 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is an important biological trait for a successful invasion. During the expansion across a new territory, an invasive species may face unprecedented ecological conditions that will determine its demography and genetic diversity. The first record of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in Europe dates back to 2004 in France, from where it has successfully spread through a large territory in the continent, including Italy, Spain and Portugal. Integrative approaches offer a powerful strategy to detect and understand patterns of genetic variation in central and marginal populations. Here, we have analysed the relationship between genetic diversity parameters inferred from 15 V. velutina nuclear DNA microsatellite loci, and geographical and environmental drivers, such as the distance to the introduction focus, environmental suitability and distance to native and invasive niche centroids. Our results revealed a central-marginal dynamic, where allelic richness decreased towards the edge of the expansion range. The low environmental suitability of the territories invaded by marginal populations could prevent a diverse population from establishing and reducing the genetic diversity in populations at the expansion edge. Moreover, Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis showed both geographical and environmental distances were influencing population genetic differentiation. This study highlights the importance of combining genetic analysis with geographical and environmental drivers to understand genetic trends of invasive species to new environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayetano Herrera
- Department of Biology (Zoology)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
| | - M. Alice Pinto
- Centro de Investigação de MontanhaInstituto Politécnico de BragançaBragançaPortugal
- Laboratório Associado Para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia Em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC)Instituto Politécnico de BragançaBragançaPortugal
| | - Mar Leza
- Department of Biology (Zoology)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
| | - Iris Alemany
- Department of Biology (Genetics)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
| | - José A. Jurado‐Rivera
- Department of Biology (Genetics)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
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O'Shea-Wheller TA, Curtis RJ, Kennedy PJ, Groom EKJ, Poidatz J, Raffle DS, Rojas-Nossa SV, Bartolomé C, Dasilva-Martins D, Maside X, Mato S, Osborne JL. Quantifying the impact of an invasive Hornet on Bombus terrestris Colonies. Commun Biol 2023; 6:990. [PMID: 37798331 PMCID: PMC10556089 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05329-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax is considered a proliferating threat to pollinators in Europe and Asia. While the impact of this species on managed honey bees is well-documented, effects upon other pollinator populations remain poorly understood. Nonetheless, dietary analyses indicate that the hornets consume a diversity of prey, fuelling concerns for at-risk taxa. Here, we quantify the impact of V. velutina upon standardised commercially-reared colonies of the European bumblebee, Bombus terrestris terrestris. Using a landscape-scale experimental design, we deploy colonies across a gradient of local V. velutina densities, utilising automated tracking to non-invasively observe bee and hornet behaviour, and quantify subsequent effects upon colony outcomes. Our results demonstrate that hornets frequently hunt at B. terrestris colonies, being preferentially attracted to those with high foraging traffic, and engaging in repeated-yet entirely unsuccessful-predation attempts at nest entrances. Notably however, we show that B. terrestris colony weights are negatively associated with local V. velutina densities, indicating potential indirect effects upon colony growth. Taken together, these findings provide the first empirical insight into impacts on bumblebees at the colony level, and inform future mitigation efforts for wild and managed pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A O'Shea-Wheller
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom.
| | - Robin J Curtis
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Kennedy
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen K J Groom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Juliette Poidatz
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
- UMR PVBMT, Peuplements Végétaux et Bioagresseurs en Milieu Tropical, CIRAD, 97410, Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - David S Raffle
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra V Rojas-Nossa
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15781, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Damián Dasilva-Martins
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15781, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15781, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Salustiano Mato
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Juliet L Osborne
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR109FE, United Kingdom
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Otis GW, Taylor BA, Mattila HR. Invasion potential of hornets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespa spp.). FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1145158. [PMID: 38469472 PMCID: PMC10926419 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1145158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Hornets are large, predatory wasps that have the potential to alter biotic communities and harm honey bee colonies once established in non-native locations. Mated, diapausing females (gynes) can easily be transported to new habitats, where their behavioral flexibility allows them to found colonies using local food and nest materials. Of the 22 species in the genus Vespa, five species are now naturalized far from their endemic populations and another four have been detected either in nature or during inspections at borders of other countries. By far the most likely pathway of long-distance dispersal is the transport of gynes in transoceanic shipments of goods. Thereafter, natural dispersal of gynes in spring and accidental local transport by humans cause shorter-range expansions and contribute to the invasion process. Propagule pressure of hornets is unquantified, although it is likely low but unrelenting. The success of introduced populations is limited by low propagule size and the consequences of genetic founder effects, including the extinction vortex linked to single-locus, complementary sex determination of most hymenopterans. Invasion success is enhanced by climatic similarity between source locality and introduction site, as well as genetic diversity conferred by polyandry in some species. These and other factors that may have influenced the successful establishment of invasive populations of V. velutina, V. tropica, V. bicolor, V. orientalis, and V. crabro are discussed. The highly publicized detections of V. mandarinia in North America and research into its status provide a real-time example of an unfolding hornet invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gard W. Otis
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin A. Taylor
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Heather R. Mattila
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, United States
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Rojas‐Nossa SV, Dasilva‐Martins D, Mato S, Bartolomé C, Maside X, Garrido J. Effectiveness of electric harps in reducing Vespa velutina predation pressure and consequences for honey bee colony development. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:5142-5149. [PMID: 36054508 PMCID: PMC9825959 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vespa velutina has become a species of concern in invaded regions of Europe and Asia, due to its impacts on biodiversity, apiculture and society. This hornet, a ferocious hunter of pollinating insects, poses a serious threat to biodiversity and pollination services. Despite ongoing efforts, its extermination in continental Europe is hampered by a lack of effective control methods, thus effective mitigation measures are primary concerns. The aims of this work were: (i) to study the effects of V. velutina predating on honey bee colonies, and (ii) to assess the effectiveness of electric harps in reducing hunting pressure and predation. We assessed the predation pressure and compared honey bee colony performance, body weight of workers, and winter survivorship for protected versus unprotected colonies in 36 experimental hives across three apiaries. RESULTS Electric harps protected honey bees by reducing predation pressure and therefore mitigating foraging paralysis. Consequently, foraging activity, pollen income, brood production and worker body weight were higher in protected colonies which in turn showed greater winter survivorship than those that were unprotected, especially at sites with intermediate to high levels of predation. CONCLUSION The predation of V. velutina affects foraging activity, breeding, body weight and colony survivorship of Apis mellifera. Electric harps contribute significantly to mitigate the impact of this invasive hornet on apiaries; however, they should be deployed in tandem with additional measures to preserve honey bee colony stocks, such as facilitating access to food sources for colonies during the periods of highest predation pressure. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra V Rojas‐Nossa
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of SciencesUniversity of VigoVigoSpain
| | | | - Salustiano Mato
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of SciencesUniversity of VigoVigoSpain
| | | | - Xulio Maside
- CiMUSUniversity of Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de CompostelaSpain
| | - Josefina Garrido
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of SciencesUniversity of VigoVigoSpain
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Embryo, Relocation and Secondary Nests of the Invasive Species Vespa velutina in Galicia (NW Spain). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202781. [PMID: 36290167 PMCID: PMC9597825 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species become established in non-native areas due to their intrinsic characteristics and the ability to adapt to new environments. This work describes the characteristics of the nesting behavior of the invasive yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) in Galicia (Northwest Spain). The first nest was detected in the area in 2012 and after that, the distribution pattern shows a species-invasion curve with slow progress at first but followed by rapid expansion. The nesting places for this hornet differ between the kinds of nests, while embryo nests are mainly found in buildings in spring, secondary nests are observed in vegetation in summer, autumn, and winter. The annual life cycle starts when the queen builds the embryo nests and starts to lay eggs. This leads to the emergence of the first workers, usually small in size, and sometimes a few males. After this stage, large nests called secondary nests are normally observed in most exposed sites. Relocation nests can also be observed; these are nests in the first stage of development presenting adults insects but without brood or meconium. The period of decline is characterized by the emergence of new queens and males, that are distinguishable even in the pupal stage, the appearance of two eggs per cell, and an irregular brood pattern.
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Verdasca MJ, Carvalheiro L, Aguirre Gutierrez J, Granadeiro JP, Rome Q, Puechmaille SJ, Rebelo R, Rebelo H. Contrasting patterns from two invasion fronts suggest a niche shift of an invasive predator of native bees. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13269. [PMID: 35573178 PMCID: PMC9104094 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The accuracy of predictions of invasive species ranges is dependent on niche similarity between invasive and native populations and on our ability to identify the niche characteristics. With this work we aimed to compare the niche dynamics of two genetically related invasive populations of Vespa velutina (an effective predator of honeybees and wild pollinators), in two distinct climatic regions, one in central Europe and another one in the north-western Iberian Peninsula, and hence to identify uninvaded regions susceptible to invasion. Methods Niche dynamics and shifts of V. velutina were assessed by comparing the environmental niches of the native and of the two invasive populations, using climatic, topographic and land use variables. We also ran reciprocal distribution models using different algorithms and records from both native and invasive ranges to compare model predictions and estimate which regions are at a greater risk of being invaded. Results An apparent niche shift was detected in the population of the NW of Iberian Peninsula, where the species is living under environmental conditions different from the native niche. In central Europe, large suitable areas remain unoccupied. The fact that both invasive populations are well established, despite occupying environmentally distinct regions indicates that V. velutina has a high ability to successfully invade different environmental envelopes from those existing in its native range. For example, in north-western Iberian Peninsula the species is now thriving out of its native niche limits. Moreover, the large extent of still unoccupied environmental space with similar conditions to those used by the species in its native range suggests that there is still a large area of central and eastern Europe that can be potentially invaded by the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Verdasca
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon University, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luisa Carvalheiro
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon University, Lisboa, Portugal,Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiana, Brasil
| | - Jesus Aguirre Gutierrez
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Environmental Change Institute, Oxford, UK,Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Biodiversity Dynamics, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - José Pedro Granadeiro
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) — Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Quentin Rome
- UMS 2006 PatriNat –OFB, CNRS, MNHN, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France,ISYEB UMR 7205 CNRS MNHN UPMC EPHE, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Sebastien J. Puechmaille
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany,School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,ISEM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Rui Rebelo
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon University, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hugo Rebelo
- University of Porto, CIBIO/InBIO, Porto, Portugal,CEABN/InBIO, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
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