Vespula austriaca

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.

Description and identification

Vespula austriaca is an obligate social parasite, 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 Palearctic region, from Europe to Kamchatka, Japan, northwest China, Turkey, northern Pakistan, and northern India. In Europe, *V. austriaca *is most common in Ireland and Scotland.

As an obligate parasite, these wasps do not build their nests. As a result, the queens hibernate longer than their host queens. This ensures that the nests will be ready when they leave their hibernation spots.

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. 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.

Parasitic behaviour

Vespula austriaca takes advantage of hosts such as Vespula rufa from East Siberia, Europe, and Honshû Japan.

Diet

Vespula austriaca larvae obtain nutrients from insects and spiders brought to them by the host workers.

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. Considered a nuisance, one Vespula austriaca wasp was found in a shipping container.

Reproduction

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

References

References

1. (1984). "Venoms of a Parasitic and Two Nonparasitic Species of Yellowjackets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society.
2. (29 Oct 2010). "The Pollination of ''Epipactis Zinn'', 1757 (Orchidaceae) Species in Central Europe – The Significance of Chemical Attractants, Floral Morphology and Concomitant Insects". Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae.
3. Gibbons, Bob. (2011). "Field guide to insects of Britain and Northern Europe.". Crowood.
4. (2012). "The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera)". Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
5. Archer, M.E.. (1998). "Vespula austriaca (Panzer, 1799)". BWARS.
6. Edwards, Robin. (1980). "Social Wasps Their Biology and Control". Rentokil Limited.
7. 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.
8. (20 Dec 2001). "Pest risk assessment of insects in sea cargo containers". Australian Journal of Entomology.
9. Archer, M.E.. (1978). "The Cuckoo Wasp, Vespula austriaca (Panzer) (Hym., Vespidae) in Yorkshire". The Naturalist.