The comparative biology of two sympatric paper wasps in Michigan, the native Polistes fuscatus and the invasive Polistes dominulus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Abstract

The biology of the invasive Polistes dominulus and the native P. fuscatus was compared at a field site in Rochester, Michigan over a two-year period. Colonies nesting semi-naturally in plywood nestboxes were studied using videography, extensive surveys, and colony-specific marking of gynes.Both single-and multiple-foundress colonies of P. dominulus were significantly more productive than comparable colonies of P. fuscatus. The disparity in productivity was significantly more pronounced in single-foundress colonies than in multiple-foundress colonies. P. dominulus had significantly shorter larval and pupal development times than P. fuscatus, which allowed P. dominulus to produce its first workers about a week earlier than P. fuscatus. P. dominulus had a number of additional advantages over P. fuscatus that contributed to its productivity including (1) significantly less parasitism by Strepsiptera, (2) significantly greater probability of renesting after predation by raccoons, (3) significantly lower usurpation pressures, and (4) possibly longer foraging days . The recovery of colony-marked foundresses indicated that gynes of P. dominulus suffered significantly greater mortality than gynes of P. fuscatus during winter diapause and that foundresses of both species were equally, strongly philopatric.P. dominulus is likely replacing P. fuscatus in many areas of southeastern Michigan via indirect or exploitative competition. The two species may be competing for nest sites.

Traits related to biological invasion: A note on the applicability of risk assessment tools across taxa

“…Growth rate Invasive insects have rapid growth rates compared to natives (Labrie et al 2006, Ward andMasters 2007) A, O Preimaginal (pre-adult) development time Invasive insects have shorter preimaginal development time than natives (Cervo et al 2000, Gamboa et al 2004, Boman et al 2008, Delatte et al 2009); Invasive insects have a longer preimaginal development time than natives (Bonato et al 2007) A, E, O…”

“…Body size Invasive insects are smaller than natives (Crawley 1987, McGlynn 1999b, Gamboa et al 2004, Ness et al 2004, Cremer et al 2006, Mondor et al 2006, Cremer et al 2008, Wilson-Rich and Starks 2010, Abril et al 2013; Small insects more likely to establish than large insects (Lawton et al 1986, Lester 2005; Invasive insects are larger than natives (Ings et al 2006, Delatte et al 2009, Kajita and Evans 2010a, Kajita and Evans 2010b; Large body size may promote invasion success (Moller 1996) A, C, E, O (Facon et al 2011); High progeny production increases colonization success (Yan et al 2005) A, E Egg laying behaviour Insects that lay eggs in batches less likely to become invasive (Crawley 1987) Egg size Invasive insects lay larger eggs than natives (Duyck et al 2007, Delatte et al 2009);…”

“…Invasive insects more likely to re-nest after predation than natives (Gamboa et al 2004) A, O Nest reutilization Invasive insects may reuse a nest, whereas natives seldom do (Cervo et al 2000) A…”

“…Natural enemies present Presence of predators Presence of predators decreases invasive insect abundance and increases native insect development rate (Juliano et al 2010); Dispersal increases as presence of parasitoids in native range increases (Paynter and Bellgard 2011); Absence of predators/parasitoids increases the likelihood of establishment (Lawton et al 1986, Tsusui and Suarez 2003, Yan et al 2005, Snyder and Evans 2006, Suarez et al 2008, Ugelvig and Cremer 2012 A, C, E Rate of parasitism Invasive insects parasitized less often than natives (Cervo et al 2000, Gamboa et al 2002, Gamboa et al 2004, Allen et al 2007, Cremer et al 2008, Gray et al 2008, Orledge et al 2010, Comont et al 2014 Certain mutualistic interactions will enhance invasion success (Wilder et al 2011); Presence of suitable host species increases invasion success (Brooks et al 2012…”

“…Nesting: The habitat used by nesting insects (Suarez et al 2005, Downing et al 2012, tendency of the nest to be predated (as a result of mimicry or habitat selection; Cervo et al 2000), re-nesting after predation (Gamboa et al 2004), and general nest reuse (Cervo et al 2000) have all been claimed to be related to insect invasion in different ways. Invasive ants tend to be ground nesters rather than arboreal (Suarez et al 2005), and invasive wasps tend to nest in urban rather than rural or natural habitats (Downing et al 2012).…”