Caste differentiation and analyses of cuticular profile, fats and sperm production in Vespa velutina nigrithorax du Buysson, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

Hymenopteran alien and invasive species entail a problem for the ecosystem where they are introduced.This is the case of Vespa velutina hornet, also known as yellow-legged hornet, which was introduced in 2005 by accident in Europe, specifically in Lot-et-Garonne (France). The invasion of this species brings some damages such as: ecological damage, economic damage and social damage. As it happens with many others insects, in this species, the chemical communication among individuals is essential. Inside this kind of communication, we can find the short distance communication in which the cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are very important. Through those CHCs hornets can know the age, the caste, the physiological status¿ of the rest of the individuals.This thesis has focussed mainly in two aspects of the biology of the species:On the one hand, in the knowledge of the life cycle of the species and in the determination of the moment in which the future queens are produced. On the other hand, it has deepened in the knowledge of a small part of the large chemical communication, analysing how different factors such as the age and the diet of emerged adult, could influence in the CHCs, quantity and quality of accumulated fats, and in sperm production. At the same time, whether or not fats quantity and quality and sperm production present any relationship with the CHCs was studied.