Vespula austriaca

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Vespula austriaca
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Genus: Vespula
Species:
V. austriaca
Binomial name
Vespula austriaca
(Panzer, 1799)
Synonyms

Vespa austriaca Panzer, 1799
Vespa borealis Smith, 1843 (homonym)
Vespa arborea Smith, 1849
Vespa biloba Schilling, 1850

Vespula austriaca is an

East Siberia.[1]V. austriaca wasps pollinate orchids.[2]

In some literature, V. austriaca is mentioned under the common name "Cuckoo wasp",[3] but this should not be confused with the family Chrysididae, which have the same common name.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Vespula austriaca is a member of the family Vespidae. The genera Vespula and Dolichovespula are thought to be closely related and are considered sister groups. Their similarities include absences of strong seta on third segment of labial palpus, smaller scutal lamella, and a characteristic twisted pedicel in embryonic nests.

The Nearctic population formerly considered as belonging to V. austriaca has been recognized as a separate species, Vespula infernalis.[4]

Description and identification

Vespula austriaca is an obligate social parasite,[5] and is quite similar in appearance to other Vespula species.

The male abdomen is longer with thick lateral black bands while the female abdomen is wider with fewer lateral black bands and black dots.

Distribution and habitat

Vespula austriaca is found in the

Kamchatka, Japan, northwest China, Turkey, northern Pakistan, and northern India. In Europe, V. austriaca is most common in Ireland and Scotland.[6]

As an

hibernate longer than their host queens. This ensures that the nests will be ready when they leave their hibernation spots.[7]

Colony cycle

Vespula austriaca is known as a labour parasite. Its lifestyle depends on invading and usurping other colonies. First, females kill the queens of the host colony and force the host workers to care of their offspring.[8] Also, V. austriaca wasps lack a worker caste and the ability to build their own nests. These wasps have very short seasons, with flight periods from June to mid-July and August to mid-September.[7]

Parasitic behaviour

Vespula austriaca takes advantage of hosts such as

Honshû Japan.[8]

Diet

Vespula austriaca larvae obtain nutrients from

spiders brought to them by the host workers.[5]

Human importance

Vespula austriaca is not itself considered a pest, but one of its hosts, Vespula rufa, is a pest because it frequently enters buildings.[7] Considered a nuisance, one Vespula austriaca wasp was found in a shipping container.[9]

Reproduction

Vespula austriaca does not produce any workers. Instead the queens lay eggs that eventually produce more queens and male adults.[10]

References

Wikispecies has information related to Vespula.
  1. JSTOR 25084514
    .
  2. doi:10.5586/asbp.2011.007
    . Retrieved 14 Oct 2014.
  3. OCLC 792685459
    .
  4. doi:10.3897/jhr.28.3514
    .
  5. ^ a b Archer, M.E. (1998). "Vespula austriaca (Panzer, 1799)". Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society. BWARS. Retrieved 15 Oct 2014.
  6. ISBN 0-295-95287-3
    .
  7. ^
    ISBN 0-90656401-8
    .
  8. ^ a b Yamane, S., Kubo T., (1970). A brief note on a labor-parasitic wasp, Vespula austriaca, in association with Vespula rufa schrencki. Kontyu 38(2):171–175.
  9. doi:10.1046/j.1440-6055.2001.00215.x
    . Retrieved 15 Oct 2014.
  10. ^ Archer, M.E. (1978). "The Cuckoo Wasp, Vespula austriaca (Panzer) (Hym., Vespidae) in Yorkshire". The Naturalist. 103: 133–134. Retrieved 15 Oct 2014.
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