Vespula austriaca
| Vespula austriaca | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Clade: | Euarthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Genus: | Vespula |
| Species: | V. austriaca |
| Binomial name | |
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Vespula austriaca (Panzer, 1799) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Vespa borealis, Vespa arborea, Vespa biloba, Vespa infernalis, Vespa tripunctata |
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Vespa borealis, Vespa arborea, Vespa biloba, Vespa infernalis, Vespa tripunctata
Vespula austriaca is an obligate parasitic wasp, parasitizing the nests of other species in the genus Vespula. Its common host species include V. acadica in the United States and V. rufa in Europe, Japan, and East Siberia. It is sometimes called the cuckoo yellowjacket wasp due to its inquiline lifestyle.V. austriaca wasps pollinate orchids. They differ from other parasitic wasps in their intensely aggressive behavior during invasion and occupation of the host colony. Several morphological adaptations such as bigger body parts and more curved sting shafts are observed in these wasps to aid their aggressive parasitic behavior. Once they occupy a host's nest, V. austriaca are known to engage in mauling and chasing of host workers and forced trophallaxis. Larvae will feed on spiders and other insects. Female wasps will also force host workers to feed and take care of their brood.
Vespula austriaca is a member of the family Vespidae. The genera Vespula and Dolichovespula are thought to be closely related and are considered sister groups. Their similarities include absences of strong seta on third segment of labial palpuls, smaller scutal lamella, and a characteristic twisted in embryo nests. Furthermore, Vespula vulgaris is similar to V. austriaca and is considered a sister species. Parasitism of V. austriaca is an autapomorphy.
More recently the Nearctic population has been proposed as a separate species due to sculptural differences in the queens between the Nearctic and Palearctic populations. The name Vespa infernalis which was coined by de Saussure in 1854 has been put forward as the scientific name for the Nearctic species.
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