Chemical Heterogeneity in Inbred European Population of the Invasive Hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax

Abstract

Invasive social insect populations that have been introduced to a new environment through a limited number of introduction events generally exhibit reduced variability in their chemical signatures (cuticular hydrocarbons) compared to native populations of the same species. The reduced variability in these major recognition cues could be caused by a reduction of genetic diversity due to a genetic bottleneck. This hypothesis was tested in an inbred European population of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax. Our results show that, in spite of the limited amount of genetic diversity present in the European population, the chemical signatures of individuals were highly heterogeneous according to their caste, sex, and colony origin. In queens, some specific saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons were identified. These results suggest that epigenetic and/or environmental factors could play a role in modifying cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in this introduced hornet population despite the observed reduction of genetic diversity.

The evolution of chemical defenses along invasion routes: Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) as a case study

“…However, we found a tendency toward a decrease in the number of ECHCs as well as changes in the relative quantities of the different compounds along the invasion route. CHCs profile variations occurred in other invasive species and are considered to depend on how narrow the initial genetic bottleneck is (Blight, Renucci, Tirard, Orgeas, & Provost, ; Gévar, Bagnères, Christidès, & Darrouzet, ; Perdereau, Dedeine, Christidès, & Bagnères, ). The invasive populations of H. axyridis experienced a bottleneck of intermediate intensity along their invasion route (Facon et al., ), which could explain the small differences observed.…”

“…However, we found a tendency toward a decrease in the number of ECHCs as well as changes in the relative quantities of the different compounds along the invasion route. CHCs profile variations occurred in other invasive species and are considered to depend on how narrow the initial genetic bottleneck is (Blight, Renucci, Tirard, Orgeas, & Provost, 2010;Gévar, Bagnères, Christidès, & Darrouzet, 2017;Perdereau, Dedeine, Christidès, & Bagnères, 2010 which could explain the small differences observed. However, slight changes in CHCs profiles are enough to influence the behavior of receptors ( van Zweden & d'Ettorre, 2010) and in the case of H. axyridis are apparently recognized by its enemies (see Rieder et al, 2008).…”

Sarracenia carnivorous plants cannot serve as efficient biological control of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax in Europe

“…They may provide a way of controlling major hymenopteran pests. Trap development could be informed by recent research, notably by discoveries related to alarm pheromones in V. velutina auraria (Cheng et al 2016), sex pheromone in such species (Wen et al 2017) and/or chemical signatures (cuticular hydrocarbons) in the French V. velutina nigrithorax population (Gévar et al 2017). These different compounds could be used as bait in selective traps.…”

Options for the biological and physical control of Vespa velutina nigrithorax (Hym.: Vespidae) in Europe: A review

“…Several groups have been working for several years on the isolation of pheromones from V. velutina (Couto, Monceau, Bonnard, Thiéry, & Sandoz, 2014;Gévar, Bagnères, Christidès, & Darrouzet, 2017;Wen et al, 2017;Ya-Nan, Ping, Shi-Hao, Ken, & Nieh, 2017). J. Nieh's group is developing a trap to attract yellow-legged hornet males very selectively using hornets sex pheromones.…”