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At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Wasp sting induced neurological manifestations.

Wasp stings generally cause local reactions like pain, wheal, flare, edema and swelling, which are generally self-limiting. Multiple stings can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, generalized edema, dyspnea, hypotension, collapse, renal failure or death. Unusually, they may cause serum sickness, vasculitis, neuritis or encephalitis. We report a case of a 40 year old male who developed focal neurological deficit 10 hours following a wasp sting, which was confirmed to be ponto-cerebellar infarction on MRI scan, and recovered within five days.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cloning and characterization analysis of the genes encoding precursor of mast cell degranulating peptide from 2 honeybee and 3 wasp species.

The precursors of mast cell degranulating peptide (MCDP) genes were amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA of venom gland of two honeybee species, Apis mellifera ligustica, Apis cerana cerana, and three wasp species, Vespa magnifica, Vespa velutina nigrothorax and Polistes hebraeus, respectively. Their PCR products were ligated into pGEM T-easy vector and the nucleotide sequences were analyzed. The length of five fragments was the same, it was 341 bp containing an ORF of 153 bp coding the precursor of MCDP and 188 bp 3' noncoding region. They have more than 90% homologues with each other in nucleotide sequences. The precursors of MCDP of A. cerana cerana, V. magnifica, V. velutina nigrothorax and P. hebraeus shared 96%, 100%, 94% and 98% homology with A. mellifera ligustica, respectively. The two species of wasps, V. magnifica and V. velutina nigrothorax, contained the same MCDP as A. mellifera ligustica, though they belong to different families with quite different biological properties, while A. cerana cerana contained the different MCDP in their venom as A. mellifera ligustica though they belong to the same genus. The fifth amino acid residue of MCDP in A. cerana cerana and P. hebraeus is arginine, replacing the cysteine, an important disulfide bridges element, in the position as in A. mellifera ligustica.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

A test of worker policing theory in an advanced eusocial wasp, Vespula rufa.

Mutual policing is an important mechanism for maintaining social harmony in group-living organisms. In some ants, bees, and wasps, workers police male eggs laid by other workers in order to maintain the reproductive primacy of the queen. Kin selection theory predicts that multiple mating by the queen is one factor that can selectively favor worker policing. This is because when the queen is mated to multiple males, workers are more closely related to queen's sons than to the sons of other workers. Here we provide an additional test of worker policing theory in Vespinae wasps. We show that the yellowjacket Vespula rufa is characterized by low mating frequency, and that a significant percentage of the males are workers' sons. This supports theoretical predictions for paternities below 2, and contrasts with other Vespula species, in which paternities are higher and few or no adult males are worker produced, probably due to worker policing, which has been shown in one species, Vespula vulgaris. Behavioral observations support the hypothesis that V. rufa has much reduced worker policing compared to other Vespula. In addition, a significant proportion of worker-laid eggs were policed by the queen.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

[Fatal poison disease of a child following massive wasp stings (author's transl)[].

A child aged 4 years was stung by more than 250 wasps. There was no anaphylactic shock. There rather were increasingly heavy ictero-hemorrhagic symptoms with simultaneous insufficient kidney function. On the second day of the disease disorders of the CNS started, as well as circulation insufficiency and disorder of the heart function. According to the signs there was no intravasal coagulation or hemolysis. Heavy doses of corticoids were successless, just as a peritoneal dialysis starting on the 3rd day of the disease. The child died 5 and 1/2 day after the wasps' attack. The pathophysiology and the possible therapeutic consequences of the case as well as rapid protective actions in such a case of insect attack are being discussed.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1983

Wasp sting anaphylaxis.

Profuse hemostatic defects were demonstrable 14 hr after wasp sting anaphylaxis. The patient's plasma contained an agent or agents that interfered with the action of thrombin, impeding the release of fibrinopeptide A from fibrinogen and the hydrolysis of the synthetic amide H-D-prolyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide. This inhibitor could not be equated with known plasma inhibitors of thrombin nor with heparin. Additionally, the titers of nearly all other known clotting factors were reduced as compared to levels obtained after the patient's recovery. Of particular interest were profound reductions in the titers of proaccelerin (factor V) and high molecular weight kininogen. A normal titer of Hageman factor (factor XII) argued against participation of contact-activated mechanisms in the induction of the multiple abnormalities observed. Attempts to demonstrate the release of procoagulant or anticoagulant substances from the patient's convalescent blood, plasma, serum, or leukocytes upon challenge with wasp venom were unsuccessful. The observations reported confirm and extend information concerning hemostatic abnormalities in anaphylaxis, and point out the need to examine further this puzzling association.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Allergens in hymenoptera venom. VI. Cross reactivity of human IgE antibodies to the three vespid venoms and between vespid and paper wasp venoms.

A substantial degree of immunologic cross-reactivity is demonstrated among yellow jacket (YJV), yellow hornet (YHV) and white-faced hornet (WFHV) venoms and between the vespid venoms and paper wasp venom (PWV) by RAST inhibition studies of individual sera from allergic patients. Cross-reactivity is shown to be complete, partial or absent in various cases. In many cases RAST inhibition studies are able to demonstrate the primary sensitivity. Specificity by RAST inhibition did not always agree with specificity by quantitative RAST. A variety of patterns of cross-reaction are shown to exist between the pairs of venoms studied. There is no general pattern of cross-reactivity among the vespids or between vespid and paper wasp. Some cross-reactivity appears to result from multiple stings by different insects.

Allergens↗
PubMed1981

Pigment granules in the tegumental yellow strips of social wasps: a scanning electron microscopic study.

In social wasps the yellow pigment assumes the shape of quasi-cylindrical granules 0.6...0.8 microm long and 0.3...0.4 microm in diameter. These are mostly concentrated around the bases of the funnel-like cuticular sheath containing the cellular elements of the sense organ. Feeding colchicine to the wasps induces degeneration of the granules but the addition of xanthines to their diet render them refractory to the destructive action of colchicine. Changes in the size and shape of the granules with age and following continuous illumination are described.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Extraembryonic membranes of the endoparasitic wasp Cotesia congregata: presence of a separate amnion and serosa.

Little information is available describing the development of endoparasitic Hymenoptera prior to hatching of the first instar larva. The present study reveals that in Cotesia congregata, and likely other braconid wasp parasites, the serosa and amnion comprise separate layers encasing the developing first instar larva. Examination of newly hatched first instar parasites in the hemocoel of Manduca sexta confirmed that the larvae were ensheathed in the remnants of an "amnion" at hatching, with patches of nucleated cells seen adhering in thin sheets to the larva. The amnion is delaminated from a cellular serosal membrane that lies directly beneath the chorion, which subsequently gives rise to teratocytes. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that remnants of the amnion remained associated with the larvae for a longer period posthatch than did the teratocytes, which rapidly dispersed into the host hemolymph. The presence of an amnion-like layer in braconid endoparasitic wasps may prove to be significant with respect to our understanding of host-parasite immunological interactions occurring during the initiation of the relationship of the parasites with their host.

Amnion↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Structure of acoustic signals in the larvae of Dolihovespula wasps and Vespa crabre hornets].

Studies have been made on factors which account for the structure and noise-resistance of signals emitted by larval wasps and hornets. It was shown that temporal structure of a signal is determined by the roughness of cell walls against which the larva rubs by its mandibulae. Spectral structure of a signal depends on the size and configuration of combs. Maximum of spectral energy of each signal lies in the same frequency band from the very first up to the last impulse. This fact together with constant duration of the signal makes the latter different from other similar sounds emmitted by other members of a wasp family.

Animal Communication↗
PubMed1976

Myasthenia gravis associated with wasp sting.

A clinical picture indistinguishable fro, but not therefore identical with, myasthenia gravis (ocular form) developed within 24 hours of a wasp sting. Because of the close temporal association of events, operative mechanisms may be either an immediate hypersensitivity reaction to some components of wasp venom or a direct toxic effect of these substances on acetylcholine synthesis, release, or degradation. Theoretical considerations from the literature and the lack of immunologic abnormalities in the patient suggest that the latter may be correct. Unique host conditions must have been present at the time of the sting, implying latent or subclinical myasthenia gravis.

Blepharoptosis↗
PubMed2002

Identification of five novel WASP mutations in Chinese families with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive immunodeficiency caused by mutation in the gene encoding WAS protein (WASP). The disease is characterized by eczema, thrombocytopenia and severe immunodeificency and is associated with extensive clinical heterogeneity. Mutation studies indicated that the mutated genotypes are also highly variable. In this study, we performed PCR-direct sequencing analysis of the WAS gene in six unrelated Chinese families. Five novel mutations identified, included two nonsense mutations (506C-->T, 1388-->T), a small insertion (685-686insCGCA) and two single-base deletions (384delT, 984delC). All of the mutations are predicted to lead to premature translational termination of WASP.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1998

Genetic effects on task performance, but not on age polyethism, in a swarm-founding eusocial wasp

Division of labour among workers in insect societies often includes two major components: age-related changes in behaviour (age polyethism) and specialization in task performance. The aim of this study was to test whether similarity in inside-nest task performance and in rate of age polyethism correspond to genetic similarity among nestmates in the polygynous eusocial wasp Polybia aequatorialis.Behavioural data were collected on marked, known-age workers from three source colonies introduced into two observation colonies in the field. Genetic similarity among workers was assessed by quantifying sharing of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker alleles. Workers were categorized by whether they engaged in nest cleaning as an indicator of individual differences in inside-nest task performance. Within source colonies, workers that performed nest-cleaning tasks were more genetically similar to each other than they were to workers not performing these tasks. Workers also differed in their rates of passage through the age-related task sequence, but no association was found between sharing of RAPD marker alleles and rate of age polyethism. These results accord with earlier studies demonstrating flexibility in age polyethism in swarm-founding wasps, and with findings that worker genotypic variability corresponds to specialization in task performance in P. aequatorialis. Polybia spp. workers rarely switch among tasks, even in response to changes in colony conditions, and workers' genotypes may constrain flexibility in task performance at the individual level. Conversely, colonies may accrue benefits from having genotypically diverse worker forces, which could favour the maintenance of polygyny in swarm-founding wasps.Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Mating ecology of the nonpollinating fig wasps of Ficus ingens.

The males of many fig wasps fight fatally for mating opportunities. The concentration of females in space has been proposed as one factor selecting for their aggressive behaviour. We studied the temporal distribution of receptive females to obtain a clearer impression of the operational sex ratio in figs. Females of nonpollinating species emerged from figs over a protracted period of time and this resulted in an extremely male-biased operational sex ratio, conducive to extreme fighting. Since there were so few receptive females at any one time, a male could defend an eclosing female. Consequently, the largest, Otitesella longicauda male in a fig had a much higher mating success than smaller males. This suggests that larger males have a larger fitness advantage than larger females and a Trivers-Willard effect could have important implications for sex allocation. Apterous and seemingly nondispersing males routinely left their figs. Such dispersal can affect both (1) sex allocation by reducing the degree of local mate competition between brothers and (2) male dimorphism by reducing the mating opportunities of males with a dispersing morphology. We show that the wingless digitata males of the Otitesella digitata species group disperse on to leaves close to their natal fig. An extremely male-biased sex ratio resulted in almost all O. longicauda females being mated. These findings suggest that the classical concept of the fig wasp mating system is too simplistic and that important assumptions of sex allocation models are violated. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Helping behaviour in facultatively eusocial hover wasps: an experimental test of the subfertility hypothesis.

A candidate explanation for the evolution of eusociality is that helpers are physiologically constrained such that helping is their only realistic option. We tested this subfertility hypothesis in a species of facultatively eusocial hover wasp (Hymenoptera, Stenogastrinae: Liostenogaster flavolineata) by seeing whether helpers that were forced to nest on their own were able to mature their own eggs. One focal helper was left alone on each of 22 nests, from which all other adult wasps (including the dominant) were permanently removed. After 18 days, all but one of the 19 focal helpers that remained on their nests had ovarian development and insemination status characteristic of dominants, and the majority had probably laid eggs. This was in striking contrast to the reproductive status of other helpers removed from the same nests at the start of the experiment. These results provide convincing experimental evidence that females do not become helpers because of some unconditional physiological constraint. There is currently no unequivocal support for the subfertility hypothesis in facultatively eusocial Hymenoptera lacking morphological castes. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Stripes display in hover-wasps (Vespidae: Stenogastrinae): a socially costly status badge.

During their daily patrols of their hover sites, male stenogastrine wasps display three white stripes on their tergites by fully stretching their abdomen. In captive Parischnogaster mellyi males, we observed a positive relationship between mating and both display frequency and successful aerial duels. Approaches of receptive females to hovering males and sexual interactions were most frequent at the end of the males' performance, when only a few individuals displayed their stripes in flight. We investigated the function and cost of the stripes display by manipulating this sex-dimorphic trait. Wasps with additional white stripes (simulating continuously displaying individuals) were pursued and touched more frequently by rivals, stopped their activity earlier than controls and foraged more intensely. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Intersexual sibling interactions and male benevolence in a fig wasp.

We studied interactions between males and females of the Australian pollinating fig wasp, Pleistodontes imperialis (Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae), in Ficus platypoda (Moraceae). As for many other fig wasps, all mating occurs within the confines of a syconium before females depart. We show that initially there is scramble competition between males for access to virgin females. During this time males excavated a small hole into a female's gall to mate through. These holes were just large enough for insemination, but not large enough for females to exit their galls. Males ignored mated females, and as virgin females became scarce males switched strategies and began to enlarge insemination holes until they were large enough for females to escape, showing that males enhance female fitness by means other than just mating. Syconia with experimentally reduced numbers of males had fewer liberated females, suggesting that female fitness is strongly affected by the number of males present. Females may be unable to escape their galls unassisted because of morphological adaptations to syconium founding. We argue that sex allocation should be affected not only by competition among males but also by intersexual interactions between siblings. This could potentially offset the strong female bias predicted by local mate competition. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Susceptibility of Vespula vulgaris (Hymenoptera: vespidae) to generalist entomopathogenic fungi and their potential for wasp control.

The pathogenicity of Vespula vulgaris wasp workers and larvae to a range of fungi was determined. All fungi were isolated in New Zealand and included isolates from Vespula, known generalist insect pathogens, and isolates generally nonpathogenic to insects. Workers and larvae were highly susceptible to pathogenic isolates at high spore concentrations (>1.75 x 10(5) cfu/individual). Eight isolates, two of Metarhizium anisopliae, five of Beauveria bassiana, and one of Aspergillus flavus were pathogenic while a single isolate of M. flavouiride var. novazealandicum, Cladosporium sp., and Paecilomyces sp. were not. The transfer of spores between workers, and between workers and larvae, was also investigated using several different application methods. Transfer of spores occurred between treated and untreated individuals, and for some of the application methods sufficient spores were transferred to cause mortality of the nontreated individuals. These findings are related to the potential of fungi for the control of wasps.

Animals↗