How Apis mellifera Behaves with its Invasive Hornet Predator Vespa velutina?
Language
en
Article de revue
This item was published in
Journal of Insect Behavior. 2018-01, vol. 31, n° 1, p. 1 - 11
Springer Verlag
English Abstract
Invasive species are now recognized as a major cause of native biodiversity loss worldwide. In the current deleterious context for pollinators, the invasive yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, represents an additional ...Read more >
Invasive species are now recognized as a major cause of native biodiversity loss worldwide. In the current deleterious context for pollinators, the invasive yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, represents an additional threat to the domestic honeybee, Apis mellifera, in Europe. Therefore, understanding the impact of this predator on honeybee colonies is of major importance. In the present study, we tried to assess the impact of V. velutina on the honeybee foraging and defence behaviour based on the video monitoring of two hives. Balling behaviour is reported here for the first time under natural conditions in A. mellifera against V. velutina in Europe. Although these results are preliminary and should be carefully considered, we found that the number of hornets impacted honeybee foraging and defence behaviours. More defensive behaviours were notified in the hive, which survives slightly longer. This may suggest that selecting for more defensive colonies may provide an interesting perspective.Read less <
English Keywords
Balling behaviour
Defence behaviour
Domestic honeybee
Foraging
Yellow-legged hornet
Origin
Hal imported