Nest structures display specific hydrocarbon profiles: insights into the chemical ecology of the invasive yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax

Mélissa Haouzi (1) , Jeremy Gevar (2) , Alix Khalil (1) , Éric Darrouzet (1)

1 IRBI - Institut de recherche sur la biologie de l'insecte
2 iEES Paris - Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement de Paris

In insects, chemical communication is the most common form of communication, and cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are employed in recognition processes. In social insects, CHCs also help define colony identity and thus contribute to social cohesion among nestmates. Individuals can deposit their chemical signatures on nest surfaces. This information serves as a reference for newly emerged individuals and allows them to obtain the odor specific to their colony. This study examined nest chemical profiles in an inbred invasive species: the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax. We demonstrated that nest structures (i.e., envelopes, combs, and pillars) had specific hydrocarbon profiles, which were colony specific. There were similarities between the chemical profiles of the nests and the CHC signatures of hornets. The loss of genetic diversity previously documented in the yellow-legged hornet population in France does not appear to have constrained nest chemical diversity.

Mots clés: Invasive species; Hymenoptera; Chemical marking; Cuticular hydrocarbons; cuticular hydrocarbons; chemical marking; invasive species

Domaines: Zoologie des invertébrés; Biodiversité et Ecologie

Mélissa Haouzi, Jeremy Gevar, Alix Khalil, Éric Darrouzet. Nest structures display specific hydrocarbon profiles: insights into the chemical ecology of the invasive yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax. Chemoecology, inPress, 31 (4), pp.227-238. ⟨10.1007/s00049-021-00343-7⟩. ⟨hal-03188794⟩