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Updated: May 10, 2025

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

Sabrina Moreyra¹, Mariana Lozada¹

¹Laboratorio Ecotono, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBIOMA) - CONICET - Universidad Nacional del Comahue (CRUB), Quintral 1250, Bariloche 8400, Argentina.

Behavioural Processes

|April 20, 2025

Summary

The eusocial wasp, Vespula germanica, demonstrates learning by associating actions with food rewards. This behavioral plasticity may explain its successful global colonization.

Keywords:

Behavioural changes Cognition Exotic species Vespids Vespula germanica Y-maze

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Last Updated: May 10, 2025

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Published on: September 11, 2019

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.