Nest predation by (Linnaeus, 1758): observational insights into polistine wasp defense and hornet feeding behavior
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Vespa tropica (Linnaeus, 1758) is a known predator of polistine wasps, actively hunting them to provision its larvae. This study reports two separate instances of Vespa tropica Greater Banded Hornet predation on the nests of two polistine wasp species, the Arabian Paper Wasp Polistes (Gyrostoma) wattii Cameron, 1900 and Ropalidia brevita Das & Gupta, 1989, in Uttarakhand, India. While the predatory behavior of Vespa tropica on different species of Polistes and Ropalidia has been well-documented in previous studies, this is the first photographic record of nest predation attempts on Polistes wattii and Ropalidia brevita. Additionally, the study documents the first known successful defensive counterattack by a prey species Polistes wattii, providing novel insight into the defensive capabilities of prey species against hornet predation.
Source: Journal of Threatened Taxa
Authors: Shantam Ojha, Vartika Negi
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $600
OpenAlex ID: W4408848941