Predatory Behavior of Wasp Species, Antagonistic Defense Mechanism of Apis mellifera Honey Bees and Effective Wasp Management in Apiaries

Abstract

To manage bee-wasp species interaction, knowledge of wasp predaceous behavior and honey bees’ defense mechanism are of utmost importance. It is an elaborately oriented experimental attempt to save the world of honey bees from incineration and to address the alternative stringent menace posed by wasps. Predatory behavior of wasp species viz. Vespa auraria Smith, V. tropica (Leefmansi) Vecht., and V. basalis Smith was studied at hive entrance of Apis mellifera and also their inherent defense mechanism was described. V. auraria was the most agile wasp species with highest attacks on colony at 3.68 ± 0.98/week, and it also spent the least time of 7.47 ± 0.28 s to catch a bee followed by V. tropica (25.58 ± 0.51 s) and V. basalis (31.26 ± 0.73 s). V. basalis had the tendency to attack at ground level than at hive entrance. On an average, 6.04 guard bees/colony significantly can resist wasp attack. In heat balling a wasp, after 45 s a maximum of 25.75 ± 0.43 bees were seen engulfed and in the process, a rise of 3.59 °C temperature was recorded. Higher thermal exposure of bees for 5 and 20 min was also recorded. Bee-wasp protector was the most suitable wasp management technique and it had the lowest successful bee catches of 0.55 ± 0.07, 0.21 ± 0.01 and 0.00 ± 0.00 bees by the wasp, V. auraria, V. basalis and V. tropica, respectively. Acetic acid was the most effective among six bait materials, and all tested wasp repellents (Neem Kernel Extract 1500 ppm, Pure Clove oil, Karanj seed oil and Menthol) at 5 ml per treatment showed promise. Wasps are a significant threat to the honey bee apiaries in northern hill states and northeastern regions of India. Despite proposed management techniques, a foolproof method is elusive due to insufficient studies on bee-wasp interactions. This study aims to highlight the predator–prey relationship for effective management.