Competition for food between the exotic wasp Vespula germanica and the native ant assemblage of NW Patagonia: evidence of biotic resistance?

Masciocchi, Maité; Farji‐Brener, Alejandro G.; Sackmann, Paula

doi:10.1007/s10530-009-9469-5

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Although time since arrival may partly explain the area currently occupied by Vespula germanica wasps in Argentina, it is unlikely to be the major cause given the observed anisotropic spread rates. Biotic resistance is potentially important in structuring social insect communities, as has been suggested for V. germanica and native ants in NW Patagonia (Masciocchi et al 2010;Beggs et al 2011). The northern Monte province transitions to the moister and warmer grassland habitats of the Pampas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Distribution, dispersal and spread of the invasive social wasp (Vespula germanica) in Argentina

Masciocchi¹,

Corley²

2012

Austral Ecology

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We studied the distribution and spread of the invasive social wasp Vespula germanica in Argentina, focusing on the contribution of queen dispersal to territorial expansion. Vespula germanica is native to Eurasia and has invaded several regions of the world, including Southern Argentina. Flight potential of field-collected queens was measured using flight mills. Also, by means of an extensive survey we estimated the rate of spread by analysing the relationship between years since arrival and distance from the introduction locality. The mean distance flown by wasp queens in flight mills was 404.7 Ϯ 140.8 m (mean Ϯ SE, n = 59), while the rate of spread of V. germanica was estimated at 37.2 Ϯ 2.1 km year -1 (mean Ϯ SE, n = 67), although faster towards the south. The observed spread rate of V. germanica wasps in Argentina confirms the invasive potential shown by several Hymenoptera species worldwide. Still, a stratified geographical expansion pattern does not match observed queen dispersal abilities, suggesting that human-aided transport of hibernating queens is the central driver of the current distribution of these wasps. We suggest that despite several life-history traits known for social insects that contribute to successful invasion, wasp spread must still rely strongly on human mediated pathways. This observation sheds light on those factors that are crucial for managing invasions of this and related pestiferous wasps.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Distribution, dispersal and spread of the invasive social wasp (Vespula germanica) in Argentina

Masciocchi¹,

Corley²

2012

Austral Ecology

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“…German yellow jacket (Vespula germanica ) Vespula germanica , is native to northern Africa, but has been introduced into the western parts of South Africa (Archer 1998;Tribe and Richardson 1994). These social wasps are opportunistic predators that feed on a range of invertebrates, including honeybees, as well as nectar and honey (Masciocchi et al 2010). They have been observed to feed on dead honeybees and typically only carry bee body parts back to their nests (Coelho and Hoagland 1995).…”

Section: Hymenoptera (Ants Wasps and Honeybees)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

Pirk¹,

Strauss²,

Yusuf³

et al. 2015

Apidologie

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-Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) pathogens and parasites and the negative effects thereof on honeybee populations remain an issue of public concern and the subject of active research. Africa with its high genetic diversity of honeybee sub-species and large wild population is also exposed to various factors responsible for colony losses in other parts of the world. Apart from the current American foulbrood epidemic in the Western Cape of South Africa, no large-scale colony losses have been reported elsewhere on the continent. We discuss the presence of pathogens, parasites, pests and predators of African honeybees as well as the threats they face in relation to habitat changes arising from the impact of increased human populations. In addition, we discuss current efforts aimed at protecting and promoting the health of African honeybees.honeybees / Africa / honeybee health / pathogens / parasites / pests / predators / habitat loss

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“…oceanica has an adequate response to several exotic species. The traditional view of biotic resistance against invaders has been either black or white, success or failure (Carlsson et al 2010); in the case of invasive ants, they are mostly successful (especially on oceanic islands or in disturbed habitats), but studies showing cases of native ant biotic resistance against invaders are increasing (Rao and Vinson 2004;Wetterer et al 2006;Blight et al 2010;Masciocchi et al 2010).…”

Section: Temperature and Activity Rhythmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ant community structure on a small Pacific island: only one native species living with the invaders

et al. 2011

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In most studies about ant communities, species are grouped into competitive hierarchies where top dominants drive the majority of other species away from resources. Nevertheless, in some ecosystems high ground temperatures may disrupt this hierarchical organization. Other changes in community structure are caused by the arrival of invasive ant species, which rapidly disassemble local communities. We studied the effects of competition and temperature on ant community organization on Surprise Island (New Caledonia). Four different habitats were distinguished: a central plain, a sea shore Argusia shrubland, a dense Scaveola shrub, and an arboreal Pisonia strata. Eight ant species were identified from pitfall traps (seven introduced and only one native species, Pheidole oceanica). Ant assemblages in each habitat had a different ecologically dominant species, and a dominant species in one habitat could be non-dominant and less abundant in another. From interactions at baits, we built a competitive hierarchy where the top dominant species was the native Ph. oceanica. Daily foraging activity rhythms of the different species mostly overlapped. The relationship between bait occupation and ground temperature followed a negative linear pattern at all sites and for most species, except for the relatively thermophilous Monomorium floricola. Indices of co-occurrence in pitfall traps indicated that species co-occurred randomly with respect to one another. Conversely, species appeared to be segregated when we examined co-occurrence at baits at the sites where Ph. oceanica was abundant. Oceanic islands are very susceptible to alien species, but on Surprise Island it seems that the sole native species dominates in some habitats when confronted by invasive species.

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Competition for food between the exotic wasp Vespula germanica and the native ant assemblage of NW Patagonia: evidence of biotic resistance?

Cited by 23 publications

References 31 publications

Distribution, dispersal and spread of the invasive social wasp (Vespula germanica) in Argentina

Distribution, dispersal and spread of the invasive social wasp (Vespula germanica) in Argentina

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

Ant community structure on a small Pacific island: only one native species living with the invaders

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