Differentiating between gynes and workers in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Europe - CNRS - Centre national de la recherche scientifique Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Journal of Hymenoptera Research Année : 2017

Differentiating between gynes and workers in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Europe

Izaskun Pérez-De-Heredia
  • Fonction : Auteur
Arturo Goldarazena
  • Fonction : Auteur
Pedro Romón
  • Fonction : Auteur
Juan Carlos Iturrondobeitia
  • Fonction : Auteur

Résumé

In theVespinae, morphological differences of castes are generally well-marked, except for some Vespa species, where it is difficult to distinguish between future queens and workers in autumn-winter colonies. Individual weights have widely been used as a distinguishing factor but recently cuticular hydrocarbon profiles seems to be the definitive tool, although much more expensive and time-consuming. Parameters such as size (mesos-cutum width), wet and dry weight were analysed, throughout several colonies, to differentiate female castes (workers and gynes) in the hornet Vespa velutina in Europe. These parameters were compared to cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. The results showed that in late autumn, but not earlier, populations are divided into two size groups, which, based on their CHC profiles, can be hypothesized to correspond to workers and gynes. This differentiation mirrored a good separation by size that proves to be more accurate than weight (wet and dry). The size limit between workers and gynes is established at a mesoscutum width of 4.5 mm.
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Dates et versions

hal-02874916 , version 1 (19-06-2020)

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Izaskun Pérez-De-Heredia, Éric Darrouzet, Arturo Goldarazena, Pedro Romón, Juan Carlos Iturrondobeitia. Differentiating between gynes and workers in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Europe. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 2017, 60, pp.119-133. ⟨10.3897/jhr.60.13505⟩. ⟨hal-02874916⟩
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