Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hym.: Vespidae), Venom Obtention Based on an Electric Stimulation Protocol

Abstract

The yellow-legged Asian hornet (Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)) is naturally distributed in China, Southeast Asia, and India; however, recently it has been detected outside of its native area, confirmed as being established in South Korea, Europe, and Japan. Health risks and deaths caused by the invasive Vespa velutina stings have become a public health concern, being the most common cause of anaphylaxis due to hymenopterans in some European regions. This in turn has led to increased demand from medical practitioners and researchers for Vespa velutina venom for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this study, a straightforward, quick, and inexpensive method for obtaining Vespa velutina venom by electric stimulation is described. The venom extracts were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR). The availability of Vespa velutina venom will lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods, mainly by venom immunotherapy (VIT), in patients allergic to this invasive species.

Venom Collection by Electrical Stimulation in the Invasive Species Polistes dominula Reared Using a Vespiculture Regime

“…Despite this improvement, GV has remained the standard venom collection process for wasp venom. The recent study by Feas et al (2022) [7] on Vespa velutina also highlighted the increased costs and times involved in GV.…”

“…There exist several problems regarding the availability of venom for these therapies, especially finding the correct insects for the collection of specific venom (Feas et al, 2022) [7]. Recently, the decrease in number of various insects (including social wasps) in their distribution ranges due to habitat destruction and climate change has been reported (Forister et al, 2019 [8]; Wagner 2020 [9]) influencing the opportunity to collect vespid colonies (Hoag 2020 [10]; Aleccia 2017 [11]).…”

“…Attempts to collect venom of social wasps with ESV have been very limited (Eskridge et al 1981 [19]; for a review see also Hoffmann 2006 [13]; Feas et al, 2022 [7]) and those on wasps of the genus Polistes are even more so (Simon and Benton 1969 [20]; Gillaspy and Grant 1979 [21]; Hoffmann et al 1984 [22]). Polistes colonies are small and thus the number of individuals available for the extraction of venom is much lower when compared to the large colonies of Vespula or Vespa.…”

What We Know About Sting-Related Deaths? Human Fatalities Caused by Hornet, Wasp and Bee Stings in Europe (1994-2016)

“…Health risks and deaths caused by the IAS Vespa velutina stings have become a public health concern. In this way Vespa velutina was identified as responsible of threequarters of the Hymenoptera anaphylaxis patients reported during the last years in northwestern Spain [59,60,61].…”

What We Know about Sting-Related Deaths? Human Fatalities Caused by Hornet, Wasp and Bee Stings in Europe (1994–2016)

“…In this way, the invasive Vespa velutina was identified as responsible for three-quarters of the Hymenoptera anaphylaxis patients reported during the last years in north-western Spain [ 61 , 62 ]. Invasive species have a major impact on human health, biodiversity and economics [ 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. One Health philosophy has been adopted by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI).…”