Research Article - Biomedical Research (2019) Volume 30, Issue 1

A study on habitats and behavioral characteristics of hornet wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespa orientalis), an important medical-health pest.

Dehghani R¹, Kassiri H^2*, Mazaheri-Tehrani A³, Hesam M³, Valazadi N¹ and Mohammadzadeh M¹

¹Social Determinants of Health Research Center and Department of Environment Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

²Department of Medical Entomology, Health School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

³Department of Environment Health Engineering, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

*Corresponding Author:

Hamid Kassiri
Department of Medical Entomology, School of Health
Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran
E-mail: Hamid.Kassiri@yahoo.com

Accepted date: December 28, 2018

Abstract

Hornet wasp or Vespa orietalis is one of the social and stinging insects of Iran that makes its nest mostly in the holes and cracks in the ground. Given the point that no study has been conducted in this case, yet, in this study, the nests of this arthropod are studied in four mountainous and plain areas in Kashan. Present study was of descriptive type and during it four nests of V. orientalis in four agricultural, residential, administrative and mountainous regions were identified and studied. The identification of the nests of these animals was done on the basis of observation abundance of this wasp around the nests, defense and the existence of definite tumulus in farmlands from May to September 2016-2-17. Tumulus, the nest of V. orientalis was irregular in farmland and imperceptible in residential and mountainous regions. The entrance of the nests in the soil was 3 × 5 cm. The nests of this hunter wasp were in the regions where a large number of its feeding arthropods were active. This study showed that the red wasps feed on cockroaches in residential regions, Schirasi woodlouse (Hemilepistus schirasi) and the larvae of butterflies in agricultural lands, and honey bees, larvae of butterflies and other insects in other regions. The results of this study revealed that the nests of V. orientalis as an opportunistic arthropod are seen in different places and if needed, this animal cleans the nests and to some extent it is a builder, occupier or tenant of the nest. The existence of this animal that nests in human habitats causes danger especially for children.

Keywords

Hornet wasp, Ecology, Behaviour, Vespa orientalis

Introduction

Since the creation, humans have been in contact with different animals on the earth. Due to incorrect or false belief, some of these animals have caused fear and discomfort in humans. Fear of animals is different at different age and gender groups. Fear caused by animals is not always due to awareness but it may be because of the shape, type of behavior and their disgusting features and contact with human skin. Fear of animals due to the probable damages caused by them is correct but in some cases, it has been mingled with superstition and false ideas [1]. And some other animals have caused infection, poisoning and diseases in humans by biting and stinging. Humans have always been exposed to biting by different poisonous and nonpoisonous animals [2,3].

Iran has the most diverse plant and animal species due to high climatic diversity. Poisonous biting and stinging animals from distant pasts have been noticed more than others. Stinging and biting by scorpions and snakes has always been raised as one of the medical and treatment problems in Iran. Given the high diversity of scorpion and snake species in the vast expanse of Iran that live in the southern islands of Persian Gulf to the northern regions [4-6]. Cases of biting by these reptile animals or arthropods are reported [7-11]. Among aquatic animals some such as back swimmer cause painful bites if they feel danger. Their bite like that of wasp is painful and the pain continues for 2-3 h [12,13]. Scorpions are considered among the most major poisonous animals in Iran and have always been noticed for their stings and being deadly. These arthropods are nocturnal and use their poison for hunting insects and defense [14].

Bees and wasps are among the most effective arthropods in the environment. The wasp of Vespidae family have social life. Two species of Vespa genus have been reported in Iran and Vespa orientalis or Cow wasp its local name Zar or Gunj is highly widespread [15-19]. Although many insects cause problems for human through stinging, but animals that more likely sting include honey bee, ordinary paper-making hornet wasps, yellow jacket and fire ants [20-23]. Fire ants of Pachycondyla sennaarensis species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) living in Gheshm Island in Iran's territorial waters in Persian Gulf are considered one of the stinging ants [24,25]. Since social insects such as bees and wasps live socially, if they are threatened, they attack in group and it is possible that human be stung by a large number of them at the same time and this makes the problem more intense. Despite snake biting, in insects stinging only one point is visible or observable [3,4,7]. The intensity of bee sting is different in different individuals. Symptoms and the general signs of bee sting include sudden pain, redness, itching, swelling, change in skin color, breathing problem, unconsciousness, anaphylactic shock and damage to internal organs. About 10% of the individuals stung show redness and swelling in the site of the sting [26,27]. Wasp and bee poison causes damage to body and this damage are mostly limited to the areas near the site of the sting and sometimes leads to systemic effects that could be problematic.

Almost 40 to 100 cases of death caused by allergic reaction of insects stings occur annually in America and deadly allergic reactions mostly occur in individuals who have had the previous history of allergy a specific insect sting [28-32]. In non- allergic individuals to bee stings, although bee sting is painful, it does not cause any serious problem but in the same people also numerous or multiple stings cause intensive effects such as destruction of muscles and kidney failure and even in some cases death [33-37]. Wasps as urban pests cause many stings in human environment in the villages and cities. The presence and activity of wasps in open spaces like yards, parks and school campuses leads to distraction in ordinary activities and in case of invading homes, they can threaten children and the elderly. Thus, understanding various aspects of their biology and ecology can increase our knowledge about different behaviors of these animals and reduce the dangers caused by their activities. This study aimed to identify habitats and behavioral characteristics of hornet wasp (Vespa orientalis) in Kashan County, Central Iran.

Method and Materials

Present study was of descriptive type. First, the living location of this wasp was identified in Fin-Bozorg, Ghotb-Ravandi Township and School of Public Health (in Kashan City) and margin of Mazgan Village (in Ghamsar City). During this study, four nests and the possible living location of Vespa orientalis were identified. Some of the wasp specimens were hunted and were preserved in 70% ethanol and then were transferred to entomology laboratory in Department of Environmental Health in Kashan University of Medical Sciences. The specimens were identified based on morphological studies using valid and specific keys as Vespa orientalis. Then, the exterior characteristics of the nests of this arthropod were recorded and also to measure the particles of the embankment (or tumulus), some of it was brought to the laboratory. Meanwhile, it was compared with the tumulus texture of its coexistence animal, that is, Hemilepistus schirasi Lincoln, 1970 (Crustacea: Isopoda). This study was conducted only on agricultural lands. In other nests, there was not tumulus or it was not observed. The nest of this animal was studied on the basis of density and frequency of active wasp and its defense position in mountainous, residential and administrative habitats. The study was done during spring and summer from May to September during 2016-2017. Nest Data and the characteristics of the tumulus were recorded and were presented using figures and descriptive tables.

Results

The main sign indicating the existence of Vespa orientalis wasp’s nest are the daily commute for the purpose of supplying food for colony and or in case of feeling danger from human or other creatures, flights denser than those of normal state and readiness to defend their nest and attack status. Defense prep time, in seconds, after seeing a man in a distance of about two meters varied from forty to sixty seconds. The shape and the entrance to the nest depend on the physical structure of the soil and the type of the habitat (Table 1 and Figure 1). If the nest is on the ground with soil texture, the existence of the embankment is due to cleaning it during the activity. The results revealed that the size of tumulus grains in the Vespa orientalis’ nest in the farmland is due to cleaning the nest entrance tunnels after each rainfall or irrigation that has been transferred or moved out in the form of mud and with high humidity using oral aviary and has been poured at distance of 10-100 cm from the nest entrance (Figure 2). The physical structure of tumulus particles is very irregular and it was the clay particles logged out of the nest tunnel that have been dried in the air but their size varied from 3-10 mm ,the average size of the dried clay grains was around 7-8 mm. The number of Tumulus was great and was estimated from 5000-7000 indicating that a large number of wasps had been active inside the nest (Figure 3). There was not tumulus in the nests inside the building walls and the cracks of mountainous regions. Vespa orientalis wasps are outstanding hunters that hunt wandering American cockroaches in the early days and after paralyzing the prey, they slice and carry them it into their nest. Hemilepistus schirasi, and the beetle and the butterflies larvae of gardens and surrounding farms were the most abundant nutrition in the farmland of Mazegan region (Figure 4).

Table 1: Comparison of observational parameters and the difference among four Vespa orientalis wasp nests.

Figure 1: Aggregation of Vespa Orietalis wasps in the entrance of the nest for defense and attack.

Figure 2: Tumulus dried particles and the entrance of Vespa Orientalis nest.

Figure 3: Tumulus dried grains and the entrance of Vespa Oriatalis nest.

Figure 4: Vespa Orientalis while hunting American cockroach.

Discussion

Study results showed that hornet wasps use different places to build their nest or paper honey comb. The place or location is usually selected that has enough space for building hive and is not accessible for their natural enemies; thus, it could be said that these animals are very opportunistic in terms of selecting the place of building their hive. They could be called the builders, occupiers or tenants of the nest. Around the newly cleaned entrance of the nest related to hornet wasps, the embankment or the one-way and very irregular tumulus is observed .Their nest entrance ranges from 3-8 cm on farmlands and their tumulus is different from that of other nest-builder animals [37-39]. The size of tumulus grains ranged from 3-12 mm that was estimated between 5000-7000 that indicated the activity of a large population of these wasps inside the nest. These paticles have higher density up to 1 m from the nest. Some of the researchers in their study have demonstrated the amount of soil from excavation is proportionate to the size of the nest-builder animal such as scorpions [40]. On the other hand, dried mud blocks from excavation are to some extent large and heavy and have been spread or dumped with distance from the entrance that are not easily removable. Therefore, the nest of this animal is less obstructed by the return of tumulus grains excavated that is consistent with the activity of other animals in this case [36,37].

The results showed that this animal as a predator selects its habitats in a way that it can provide its food or prey including the use of the honey bee during the growth season of the colony. The nest is usually selected for a long time. Some animals dig temporary holes whereas others build permanent nests [41-44]. Given the type of climate, the location of building wasp hive is selected in a way that it can protect their community especially their larvae from the damage and intensive or extreme climatic effects [45]. The results showed that tumulus is not always observed for selecting nest by these wasps but it is observable in locations where the entrance and the tunnel leading to the hive becomes narrow and limited as a result of water and wind erosion and in these conditions hornet wasps start to clean it. This means that most of the nests of this arthropod lack tumulus since they have been located at high locations or inside the large holes of the hive. In these cases, much like other animals as an opportunistic animal or arthropod, it uses the holes and cracks as its nest [36].

The study results showed that these animals alertly protect their nests and hives and after a very short time, they are ready as a group to attack and sting the threatening factors. This preparation is done using defense formula [46,47]. This has put it among the most dangerous and stinging animals that can attack in group and put especially the playful and curious children in serious risk. It seems that hornet wasps are opportunistic in terms of nest selection. In selecting the location for building nests, they consider following conditions: the wasps, their larvae and pupae must be protected from exhausting heat and dry climate and the nests must be close to the habitat of their diet animals and arthropods. It is suggested that all holes and cracks in the walls of residential and administrative building be filled or blocked with plaster, sand and cement. In case of existence of an active nest, try to displace it with complete protective full cover to an appropriate impervious location in the nature.

Acknowledgement

This study was conducted at the Social Determinants of Health Research Center and Department of Environmental Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran, in collaboration with the Department of Medical Entomology, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, and thanks to them. The study was approved by the Social Determinants of Health Research Center of Kashan University of Medical Sciences. The ethical principles of this research were investigated and discussed in the research committee of the above mentioned department and after making needed modifications, it was approved. The study has been done in accordance with the provisions of the Hillsinki Declaration.

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