The origins of global invasions of the German wasp (Vespula germanica) and its infection with four honey bee viruses

Brenton-Rule, Evan C.; Dobelmann, Jana; Baty, James W.; Brown, Robert L.; Dvořák, Libor; Grangier, Julien; Masciocchi, Maité; McGrannachan, Chris; Shortall, C. R.; Schmack, Julia; Zyl, C. van; Veldtman, Ruan; Lester, Philip J.

doi:10.1007/s10530-018-1786-0

Cited by 23 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…1 d,e). Most of the genetic variation occurred in the native range, consistent with previous observations of considerably higher levels of intra-specific genetic diversity of Vespula wasps in the native range compared to the introduced populations 19 , 33 , 34 . A substantial reduction in genetic variation in the introduced range, relative to the native, is expected for many invasive species and could facilitate the development of precision drives.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Infiltration took longer with lower values for the homing rate and/or mating competitiveness of carrier drones. The potential for rapid spread of fitness neutral drives is consistent with other models (33). However, the models showed that gene drives causing complete male sterility would not spread ( Fig.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 86%

“…We were particularly interested in naturally occurring variation of spermatogenesis gene targets, as in-frame variation can induce drive resistance 32 . Alternatively, such intra-specific variation could also enable a precision drive 4 that targets specific genotypes represented in genetically depauperate invasive populations, as found for the Vespula species in New Zealand 33 , 34 . Precision drives could offer a safeguard in that if genetically modified individuals return to their home range, few or a limited number of genotypes in the native range would be affected.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps

Lester

Bulgarella

Baty

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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CRISPR gene drives have potential for widespread and cost-efficient pest control, but are highly controversial. We examined a potential gene drive targeting spermatogenesis to control the invasive common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) in new Zealand. Vespula wasps are haplodiploid. their life cycle makes gene drive production challenging, as nests are initiated by single fertilized queens in spring followed by several cohorts of sterile female workers and the production of reproductives in autumn. We show that different spermatogenesis genes have different levels of variation between introduced and native ranges, enabling a potential 'precision drive' that could target the reduced genetic diversity and genotypes within the invaded range. In vitro testing showed guide-RNA target specificity and efficacy that was dependent on the gene target within Vespula, but no cross-reactivity in other Hymenoptera. Mathematical modelling incorporating the genetic and life history traits of Vespula wasps identified characteristics for a male sterility drive to achieve population control. There was a trade-off between drive infiltration and impact: a drive causing complete male sterility would not spread, while partial sterility could be effective in limiting population size if the homing rate is high. Our results indicate that gene drives may offer viable suppression for wasps and other haplodiploid pests.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps

Lester

Bulgarella

Baty

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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“…They have a variety of impacts, including competition with, and predation on, other beneficial insects (including Honey Bees), and they impact negatively on the wine and fruit industries. They may also be the carriers of Honey Bee viruses, but these have not yet been detected in South African populations (Brenton-Rule et al 2018). They are also pests to picnickers, as they sting readily when disturbed.…”

Section: Box 72 Acacia Gall Wasps: Successful Biological Control Agentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alien Terrestrial Invertebrates in South Africa

Janion‐Scheepers

Griffiths

2020

Biological Invasions in South Africa

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At the time of writing, 466 alien terrestrial invertebrate species have been reported as being established in South Africa. The most diverse groups within this fauna are the insects (330 species; 70.8%), followed by the arachnids (41; 8.8%), annelids (38; 8.2%) and molluscs (33; 7.1%), together accounting for 95.3% of the total. Within the insects, the Hemiptera are the most species-rich group, followed by the Coleoptera. Most of the invasive arachnid species are mites (24 species), many of which are important agricultural pests. The high number of invasive earthworm taxa (38 species) is of concern, given the impacts that alien earthworms have elsewhere in the world. The majority of alien invertebrates were accidentally introduced as contaminants or stowaways, and although exact dates of arrival of most of these remain unknown, many were present over 100 years ago. Also included in the fauna are 95 species of biological control agents that were almost all deliberately introduced and have contributed significantly to the control of 34 invasive plant species (as well as to the control of a few invasive invertebrates). Of the plant species that have been subjected to biological control, 14 are now considered to be under complete control. Most biological control agents are recent introductions and their rates of release are increasing. The most severe economic impacts of accidentally introduced species are as pest species on crops and these can cause considerable losses. These species mostly establish in agricultural habitats dominated by alien plants, or in disturbed and urbanised areas, although some have established in native vegetation. The cryptic nature of many alien invertebrates makes early detection difficult and many probably remained unreported, perhaps decades after their arrival. Regional taxonomic expertise is lacking for many invertebrate groups, so that even native taxa are poorly described. The wider ecological impacts of most alien terrestrial invertebrates remain very poorly known.

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“…DWV has been detected in a range of invertebrates, including bumble bees, wasps, beetles, and wax moths (reviewed by [ 11 ]). Several honey bee-associated viruses have also been found in other invertebrates such as Black queen cell virus (BQCV) in Vespula vulgaris [ 12 ], Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), and Kashmir bee virus (KBV) in the German wasp, Vespula germanica [ 13 ] and DWV and Slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV) in V. velutina [ 14 ]; however, the interactions of these viruses within social wasps are unknown. There is an ever-increasing list of viruses that have been detected in honey bees with a significant proportion being taxonomically affiliated to the order Picornavirales, including the newly discovered virus, Moku virus (MV).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection and Replication of Moku Virus in Honey Bees and Social Wasps

Highfield

Kevill

Mordecai

et al. 2020

Viruses

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Transmission of honey bee viruses to other insects, and vice versa, has previously been reported and the true ecological importance of this phenomenon is still being realized. Members of the family Vespidae interact with honey bees via predation or through the robbing of brood or honey from colonies, and these activities could result in virus transfer. In this study we screened Vespa velutina and Vespa crabro collected from Europe and China and also honey bees and Vespula vulgaris from the UK for Moku virus (MV), an Iflavirus first discovered in the predatory social wasp Vespula pensylvanica in Hawaii. MV was found in 71% of Vespula vulgaris screened and was also detected in UK Vespa crabro. Only seven percent of Vespa velutina individuals screened were MV-positive and these were exclusively samples from Jersey. Of 69 honey bee colonies screened, 43% tested positive for MV. MV replication was confirmed in Apis mellifera and Vespidae species, being most frequently detected in Vespula vulgaris. MV sequences from the UK were most similar to MV from Vespula pensylvanica compared to MV from Vespa velutina in Belgium. The implications of the transfer of viruses between the Vespidae and honey bees are discussed.

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The origins of global invasions of the German wasp (Vespula germanica) and its infection with four honey bee viruses

Cited by 23 publications

References 58 publications

The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps

The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps

Alien Terrestrial Invertebrates in South Africa

Detection and Replication of Moku Virus in Honey Bees and Social Wasps

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