Invasive social wasp learning abilities when foraging in human modified environments.

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Ecology
• Neuroethology

Background:

• The eusocial wasp, *Vespula germanica*, is a widespread invasive species.
• Understanding the learning capabilities of invasive species is crucial for predicting and managing their spread.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if *Vespula germanica* can learn to associate their actions with food availability in a controlled environment.
• To explore the role of learning and behavioral plasticity in the invasiveness of *Vespula germanica*.

Main Methods:

• A Y-maze experiment was employed to assess associative learning in foraging wasps.
• Wasps' entry times into the Y-maze were recorded across five consecutive visits with varying food availability conditions.

Main Results:

• Foraging *Vespula germanica* wasps initially sought food at the Y-maze funnel.
• Wasps demonstrated faster entry into the Y-maze on subsequent trials when food was not immediately available, indicating learned behavior.
• This study provides the first empirical evidence of learning associated with motor responses and rewarding outcomes in *Vespula germanica*.

Conclusions:

• *Vespula germanica* exhibits significant learning capabilities, modifying responses based on experienced consequences.
• The observed behavioral plasticity in *Vespula germanica* likely contributes to its successful adaptation and global invasiveness.