Side-effects of a spring trapping program of Vespa velutina nigrithorax (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in North-West Spain: impact on non-target species with an emphasis on Diptera

Bc. Kateřina GAVLOVÁ

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This master thesis summarizes all available literary data on the biology of yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina), its invasion into Europe and current control strategies. This research is aimed at studying the effectivity and selectivity of traps in the spring trapping programme, which is used as a protective measure in Galicia, north-west Spain. During March-July 2018, nineteen commercial traps were tested. Captures totalled 2,142 hornets, of which 420 were queens, and 332,231 were specimens of by-catch. Among them, Diptera were the most frequent, accounting for 83.8 % of the total captures. The identification of dipteran has shown that families Anisopodidae, Drosophilidae, Sciaridae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Phoridae and Heleomyzidae are the most attracted to traps due to sweet bait or decaying organisms. Thus, a by-side consequence of the spring trapping program is the loss of organisms, mainly decomposers. However, traps also contain some pollinators or organisms with other ecological roles. This research has improved the dipterological knowledge of the region, where species Didactylomyia longimana and Claspettomyia sp. belonging to family Cecidomyiidae, Metalimnobia bifasciata (Limoniidae) and Boletina pallidula, Exechia dentata belonging to family Mycetophilidae have been recorded for the first time in Spain. Besides, at least one species from family Mycetophilidae is new to science.

Abstract:

This master thesis summarizes all available literary data on the biology of yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina), its invasion into Europe and current control strategies. This research is aimed at studying the effectivity and selectivity of traps in the spring trapping programme, which is used as a protective measure in Galicia, north-west Spain. During March-July 2018, nineteen commercial traps were tested. Captures totalled 2,142 hornets, of which 420 were queens, and 332,231 were specimens of by-catch. Among them, Diptera were the most frequent, accounting for 83.8 % of the total captures. The identification of dipteran has shown that families Anisopodidae, Drosophilidae, Sciaridae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Phoridae and Heleomyzidae are the most attracted to traps due to sweet bait or decaying organisms. Thus, a by-side consequence of the spring trapping program is the loss of organisms, mainly decomposers. However, traps also contain some pollinators or organisms with other ecological roles. This research has improved the dipterological knowledge of the region, where species Didactylomyia longimana and Claspettomyia sp. belonging to family Cecidomyiidae, Metalimnobia bifasciata (Limoniidae) and Boletina pallidula, Exechia dentata belonging to family Mycetophilidae have been recorded for the first time in Spain. Besides, at least one species from family Mycetophilidae is new to science.

Keywords

Asian hornet, Vespa velutina, trapping, by-catch, Diptera, Galicia

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 14. 7. 2020

Accessible from:: 31. 12. 2999

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 25. 8. 2020
• Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Jan Ševčík, Ph.D.

University of Ostrava

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Biology / Bi 1o zss