Wasps social

Turillazzi S., Sledge M. F., Dani F. R., Cervo R., Massolo A. and Fondelli L. (2000) Social hackers integration in the host recognition system by a paper wasp social parasite. Naturwissenschaften 87, 172-176. 

This chapter reviews the literature of semiochemical (mostly pheromone) identification in Hymenoptera published since 1990. For this review, we separate the order Hymenoptera into the following three, somewhat overlapping, classes to reflect their differences in biology and semiochemistry solitary, parasitic, and social (Table 1). Although there is considerable literature on the semiochemical activity of specific glandular extracts and the chemical composition of specific glands, only those chemicals with demonstrated pheromonal (or semiochemical) activity will be specifically discussed here. The earlier literature of pheromones in social hymenoptera has previously been reviewed [4-6]. There have been more recent reviews of pheromones in social hymenoptera [7-10], parasitic wasps [11,12], sawflies and seed wasps [13,14], and mating pheromones across Hymenoptera [15]. 

All of the suborder Symphyta and many species in the superfamily Aculeata in the suborder Apocrita are solitary insects. Although not requiring the complex semiochemistry of parasitic or social insects, solitary insects employ pheromones for mating, territorial marking, and host marking. Unfortunately, very few of these have been chemically identified. The pheromones of sawflies and seed wasps were extensively reviewed in 1999 [ 14]. The semiochemicals recently identified in solitary hymenoptera, discussed below, are summarized in Table 2 and Fig. 1. 

Although many chemicals have been identified, much research is still needed to identify the semiochemicals involved in the many semiochemical-mediated responses observed in social hymenoptera. The chemical communication in wasps [9] and ants [8] has recently been reviewed. The semiochemicals recently identified in social hymenoptera are summarized in Table 5 and Fig. 3, and some examples are discussed in detail below. 

Billen J, Morgan ED (1998) Pheromone communication in social insects sources and secretions. In Vander Meer RK, Breed MD, Espelie KE, Winston ML (eds) Pheromone communication in social insects ants, wasps,bees and termites. Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, p 3... 

Gamboa, J.G., Reeve, H.K., Ferguson, I.D. and Wacker, T.L. (1986) Nestmate recognition in social wasps the origin and acquisition of recognition odours. Anim. Behav. 34, 685-695. 

Venkataraman, A.B., Swarnalatha, V.B., Nair, P. and Gadagkar, R. (1992) The mechanism of nest-mate discrimination in the tropical social wasp Ropalidia marginata and its implications for the evolution of sociality. Anim. Behav. 43, 95-102. 

Field experiments have shown that ants indeed defend their caterpillars effectively. Among the caterpillars most persistent foes are marauding social wasps. Although adult wasps eat only plant products, they spend much of their time hunting caterpillars to kill, cut up, and feed to their carnivorous larvae. Caterpillars guarded by ants withstand wasp attacks much better than those without protection. 

Billen J. and Morgan E. D. (1998) Pheromone communication in social insects sources and secretions. In Pheromone Communication in Social Insects Ants, Wasps, Bees, and Termites, eds R. K. Vander Meer, M. D. Breed, K. E. Espelie and M. L. Winston, pp. 3-33. 

Downing H. A. (1991) The function and evolution of exocrine glands. In The Social Biology of Wasps, eds K. G. Ross and R. W. Matthews. Comstock Publ. Ass., Ithaca and London. 

Ruther J., Sieben S. and Schricker B. (2002) Nestmate recognition in social wasps manipulation of hydrocarbon profiles induces aggression in the European hornet. Naturwissenschaften 89, 111-114. 

Sledge M. F., Boscaro F. and Turillazzi S. (2001) Cuticular hydrocarbons and reproductive status in the social wasp Polistes dominulus. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 49, 401 -09. 

Kyaluronidase from bee venom has about die same substrate specificity as snake hyalunmidase [19]. Venom of social wasps was found to contain high levels of hyahuonidase activity, whereas venotn from ants contains low levels of activity r201. Lizard venom contains a hyalunmidase that acts almost specific an hyaluronan, i ., it has no activity toward chondroitin-b-suifale, dermatan sulfate, or heparin and only weak activity toward chondroitin suifaie [21J. 

Bonavita-Cougourdan, A., Theraulaz, G., Bagneres, A.-G., Roux, M Pratte, M Provost, E. and Clement, J.-L. (1991). Cuticular hydrocarbons, social organization and ovarian development in a polistine wasp Polistes dominulus Christ. Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 100B, 667-680. 

Espelie, K.E. and Hermann, H.R. (1988). Congruent cuticular hydrocarbons biochemical convergence of a social wasp, an ant and a host plant. Biochem. Systemat. Ecol., 16, 505-508. 

Pfennig, D.W., Gamboa, G.J., Reeve, H.K., Shellman-Reeve, J. S. and Ferguson I.D. (1983). The mechanism of nestmate discrimination in social wasps (Polistes, Hymenoptera Vespidae). Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 13,299-305. 

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