Title: | Attraction of Vespula germanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) foragers by conspecific heads |
Author(s): | d'Adamo P; Corley JC; Lozada M; |
Address: | "Laboratorio Ecologia de Insectos - Grupto Forestal - INTA EEA Bariloche, Argentina. pdadamo@bariloche.inta.gov.ar" |
DOI: | 10.1603/0022-0493-94.4.850 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0022-0493 (Print) 0022-0493 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "The socialwasp Vespula germanica (F.) is a serious pest in many regions it has invaded. Control programs to reduce its populations are commonly based on the use of poison baits. These baits also attract nonpestiferous invertebrates and vertebrates. In this work we studied the attraction of V. germanica foragers by conspecific worker squashes, comparing the effect of head and abdomen squashes in wasps behavior. We found that head squashes attract V. germanica foragers, elicit landing and transportation to nests. Furthermore, the addition of squashed heads to a protein bait increased attraction. This could be an alternative to improve baiting programs" |
Keywords: | "Animals *Behavior, Animal Head *Pheromones Wasps/*physiology;" |
Notes: | "Medlined'Adamo, P Corley, J C Lozada, M eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2001/09/20 J Econ Entomol. 2001 Aug; 94(4):850-2. doi: 10.1603/0022-0493-94.4.850" |