Invasive wasps threaten South African ecosystems
Invasive Wasp Species
Introduction
- Fear of Wasps: Many people fear wasps due to their painful stings.
- Vespidae Family: Includes over 5,000 species, with about 700 being social wasps.
- Social Wasp Colonies: Nests can contain 25 to 7,000 wasps.
Invasion and Colonization
- Spread Beyond Natural Range: Hibernating queens travel as stowaways.
- Colony Formation: A single queen and a male drone can start a colony, producing over 9,000 offspring in a season.
Ecological and Socio-Economic Impacts
- Example – Argentina:
- Damage: Millions of dollars in damage annually.
- Agricultural Impact: Complicates agricultural activities and damages fruit.
- Honey Bees: Declines in honey bee populations and other beneficial insects.
Case Study: South Africa
- Monitoring Efforts: Collaboration with South African National Biodiversity Institute and Stellenbosch University.
- Citizen Science: Public involvement to monitor and control wasp populations.
Invasive Species in South Africa
- German Wasp (Vespula germanica):
- Behavior: Generalist predator, nests underground or in buildings.
- Identification: Yellow wasps with black antennae.
- Spread: First recorded in Cape Town (1972), new sighting in Cederberg (2024).
- European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula):
- Behavior: Nests above ground.
- Identification: Orange antennae, flies with legs hanging.
- Spread: Detected in Kuilsrivier (2008), spread to Porterville and Hermanus.
Potential Threats
- Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina):
- Spread: From East Asia to France (2004), now widespread in Western Europe.
- Impact: Specialist predator of honey bees, dangerous to destroy nests.
Public Involvement
- Citizen Science Platforms: Use of iNaturalist to track and identify wasp species.
- Photographing Wasps: Tips for effective photos and data submission.
Key Points for UPSC IAS Exam:
- Understanding Invasive Species: Mechanisms of spread and impact on local ecosystems and economies.
- Role of Citizen Science: Importance in monitoring and controlling invasive species.
- Case Studies: Specific examples from Argentina and South Africa.
- Preventive Measures: Strategies to prevent the spread and mitigate impacts of invasive species.
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