Agonistic interactions between the honeybee (Apis mellifera ligustica) and the European wasp (Vespula germanica) reveal context-dependent defense strategies

Abstract

Predator–prey relationships between sympatric species allow the evolution of defense behaviors, such as honeybee colonies defending their nests against predatory wasps. We investigated the predator–prey relationship between the honeybee (Apis mellifera ligustica) and the European wasp (Vespula germanica) by evaluating the effectiveness of attack and defense behaviors, which have coevolved in these sympatric species, as well as the actual damage and disturbance caused to the colonies under attack. Attack and defense behaviors were recorded in front of the hive to observe attacks at the hive entrance (68 attacks in 279 h) and at ground level on isolated and weakened honeybees close to the hive (465 attacks in 32 h). We found that V. germanica attacked the hive entrance infrequently due to the low success rate of this strategy and instead preferred a specialized attack method targeting adult honeybees at ground level, demonstrating opportunistic scavenger behavior. Individual honeybees usually responded effectively to an attack by recruiting an average of two nestmates, causing the wasp to flee, whereas collective balling behavior was only observed on four occasions. V. germanica does not appear to disrupt the foraging activity of the colonies under attack. We found that agonistic events supported by other nestmates were typically the most intense ones, involving physical combat and prolonged attacks at the entrance to the hive. These observations support the hypothesis that A. mellifera ligustica can adapt its behavior to match the severity of the threat and the context of the attack.

Feeding strategies and intraspecific competition in German yellowjacket (Vespula germanica)

“…However, individual foraging and independent hunting typology have been described for this species that explain how several individuals from different colonies can find themselves at the same foraging site and defend their own prey from other conspecifics [12,13]. Intraspecific competition for food as an aggressive interaction between two or more German yellowjackets has also been reported by Parrish and Fowler [28] also when food supplies were not scarce.…”

“…The apiary, which is located in an area where the predation activity of V . germanica on honeybees has been reported since September 2014 [13], comprised 10 A . mellifera ligustica colonies maintained in Dadan-Blatt hives containing 10 combs each.…”

“…Attack – The wasp grasps the bee and starts biting it (usually on the abdomen or between the head and thorax) [13]. …”

“…Coelho and Hoagland [11] reported that in the late summer and early autumn, German yellowjackets feed on dead honey-bees found at the ground level near hives. They also steal honey or prey on adult bees and brood [12,13]. Usually the wasps dismember their prey at the cervix and/or petiole level [14], and fly off with selected parts of the dead bee [15].…”

“…germanica and A . mellifera [13], our aim in the present work was to assess the economic damage of this species for the beekeeping industry through the evaluation of the impact on the bee colonies of the wasp's feeding activity. Through behavioral observations in the field, we investigated the predation and necrophagy behavior, as well as the dismemberment pattern and preferences in the collection of body parts.…”