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Shinohara T, Takami Y. Prey preference of a wasp determined by nest size supports the role of natural selection in body size evolution in Cassidinae leaf beetles. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The prey preference of a predator can impose natural selection on prey phenotypes, including body size. Despite evidence that large body size protects against predation in insects, the determinants of body size variation in Cassidinae leaf beetles are not well understood. We examined the prey preference of the digger wasp Cerceris albofasciata, a specialist predator of adult Cassidinae leaf beetles, and found evidence for natural selection on prey body size. The wasp hunted prey smaller than the size of their nest entrance. However, the wasp preferred larger prey species among those that could be carried into their nest. Thus, the benefits of large prey and the cost associated with nest expansion might determine the prey size preference. As expected from the prey species preference, the wasp preferred small individuals of the largest prey species, Thlaspida biramosa, and large individuals of the smallest prey species, Cassida piperata, resulting in natural selection on body sizes. In intermediate-sized prey species, however, there was no evidence for selection on body size. Natural selection on body size might explain the variation of prey morphologies that increase body size, such as explanate margins, in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Shinohara
- Graduate School of Human Development & Environment, Kobe University, 3–11 Tsurukabuto, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Yasuoki Takami
- Graduate School of Human Development & Environment, Kobe University, 3–11 Tsurukabuto, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
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Brock RE, Cini A, Sumner S. Ecosystem services provided by aculeate wasps. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1645-1675. [PMID: 33913243 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The aculeate wasps are one of the most diverse and speciose insect taxa; they are omnipresent across ecosystems and exhibit diverse co-evolutionary and exploitative associations with other organisms. There is widespread conjecture that aculeate wasps are likely to perform essential ecological and economic services of importance to the health, well-being and nutritional needs of our planet. However, the scope and nature of the ecosystem services they provide are not well understood relative to other insect groups (e.g. bees, butterflies, beetles); an appreciation of their value is further tarnished by their public reputation as pointless pests. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive review of how aculeate wasps contribute to the four main areas of ecosystem services: regulatory, provisioning, supporting and cultural services. Uniting data from a large but previously disconnected literature on solitary and social aculeate wasps, we provide a synthesis on how these insects perform important ecosystem services as parasites, predators, biological indicators, pollinators, decomposers and seed dispersers; and their additional services as a sustainable alternative to meat for human consumption, and medicinal potential as sources of research leads for anti-microbials and cancer treatments. We highlight how aculeate wasps offer substantial, but largely overlooked, economic benefits through their roles in natural pest management and biological control programs. Accordingly, we provide data-driven arguments for reasons to consider the ecosystem service value of aculeate wasps on a par with other 'useful' insects (e.g. bees). Finally, we provide a research roadmap identifying the key areas of research required to capitalise better on the services provided by these important insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan E Brock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, U.K
| | - Alessandro Cini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.,Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London, Medawar Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Seirian Sumner
- Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London, Medawar Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
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Servigne P, Orivel J, Azémar F, Carpenter J, Dejean A, Corbara B. An uneasy alliance: a nesting association between aggressive ants and equally fierce social wasps. INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 27:122-132. [PMID: 29659142 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although the Neotropical territorially dominant arboreal ant Azteca chartifex Forel is very aggressive towards any intruder, its populous colonies tolerate the close presence of the fierce polistine wasp Polybia rejecta (F.). In French Guiana, 83.33% of the 48 P. rejecta nests recorded were found side by side with those of A. chartifex. This nesting association results in mutual protection from predators (i.e., the wasps protected from army ants; the ants protected from birds). We conducted field studies, laboratory-based behavioral experiments and chemical analyses to elucidate the mechanisms allowing the persistence of this association. Due to differences in the cuticular profiles of the two species, we eliminated the possibility of chemical mimicry. Also, analyses of the carton nests did not reveal traces of marking on the envelopes. Because ant forager flows were not perturbed by extracts from the wasps' Dufour's and venom glands, we rejected any hypothetical action of repulsive chemicals. Nevertheless, we noted that the wasps "scraped" the surface of the upper part of their nest envelope using their mandibles, likely removing the ants' scent trails, and an experiment showed that ant foragers were perturbed by the removal of their scent trails. This leads us to use the term "erasure hypothesis." Thus, this nesting association persists thanks to a relative tolerance by the ants towards wasp presence and the behavior of the wasps that allows them to "contain" their associated ants through the elimination of their scent trails, direct attacks, "wing-buzzing" behavior and ejecting the ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Servigne
- Ecologie Sociale, CP 231 Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Campus Plaine, Boulevard du Triomphe, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou, France
| | - Frédéric Azémar
- EcoLab, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - James Carpenter
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou, France
- EcoLab, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Corbara
- CNRS, LMGE, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Prezoto F, Maciel TT, Detoni M, Mayorquin AZ, Barbosa BC. Pest Control Potential of Social Wasps in Small Farms and Urban Gardens. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10070192. [PMID: 31261790 PMCID: PMC6681282 DOI: 10.3390/insects10070192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In environments undergoing constant transformation due to human action, such as deforestation and urbanization, the emergence of pests has become a challenge for agriculture and human welfare. In Brazil, over a thousand tonnes of pesticides are used annually, causing serious environmental damage such as the decline of insect populations. It is necessary to search for control alternatives in order to reduce the environmental impact caused by insecticides. This review aims to describe the use of social wasps as agents of biological control, focusing on the perspectives of their use in small farms and urban gardens, and to discuss the benefits of using this method. Studies have shown that 90-95% of the prey captured by wasps in small crops is made of leaf-eating caterpillars. In urban gardens, wasps diversify their prey, among which potential disease vectors, such as dipterans, stand out. We outline techniques for managing social wasp colonies in small farm and urban garden settings, including the use of artificial shelters. Among the advantages of using wasps as control agents, we highlight the practicality of the method, the low operational cost, the absence of prey resistance and the decrease of the use of insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Prezoto
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica, Depto. de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Tatiane Tagliati Maciel
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica, Depto. de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Mateus Detoni
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Angie Zuleidi Mayorquin
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica, Depto. de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Bruno Corrêa Barbosa
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica, Depto. de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil.
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