The genome sequence of an ichneumonid wasp, Hyposoter dolosus (Gravenhorst, 1829).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Hyposoter dolosus (ichneumonid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae). The genome sequence spans 222.70 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 27.89 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of the chalcid wasp, Chalcis sispes Linnaeus, 1761.

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Chalcis sispes (chalcid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Chalcididae). The genome sequence is 412.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.9 kilobases in length.

Landscape heterogeneity correlates with bee and pollen diversity while size and specialization degree explain species-specific responses of wild bees to the environment.

Access to adequate pollen sources in agricultural landscapes is critical for the nutrition and development of bees. The type and quantity of pollen available to bees and may be determined by local plant diversity, land-use intensity and landscape structure but different bee species likely respond differently to these parameters. Identifying community and specific responses is therefore imperative to understand pollinator population dynamics in agricultural landscapes. We sampled bees in 36 plots along a land-use gradient at 4 sites in Belgium and Germany over two years. We collected 1821 bees from 100 bee species and constructed a pollen foraging network with 36 common wild bee species based on pollen metabarcoding. We investigated differences in community responses and species-specific responses to environmental variables. Landscape heterogeneity positively correlated with bee species richness, diversity and functional richness, and significantly explained bee community composition per plot. Bee collected pollen diversity correlated with bee species diversity. Furthermore, landscape heterogeneity positively correlated with bee collected pollen diversity when pooling abundant bee species, while it did not correlate with pollen diversity of the most abundant generalists. Land-use intensity and local plant diversity had no significant effect on bee diversity. Larger bees showed negative responses to increasing land-use intensity and bees with more specialized diets showed positive correlations with landscape heterogeneity. Our study goes beyond mere floral diversity and provides new insight into the responses of wild bee communities to landscape structure and regional pollen availability, as well as the interplay between bee abundance and pollen foraging traits. Our results highlight the importance of determining species-specific nutritional needs and considering landscape level structure in pollinator conservation programs.

The genome sequence of a braconid wasp, Aleiodes testaceus (Telenga, 1941).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Aleiodes testaceus (braconid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Braconidae). The genome sequence spans 110.70 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 28.0 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 10,520 protein-coding genes.

The genome sequence of a cuckoo wasp, Hedychridium roseum (Rossi, 1790).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Hedychridium roseum (cuckoo wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Chrysididae). The genome sequence has a total length of 174.70 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.84 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of a braconid wasp, Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank, 1802).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Dinocampus coccinellae (a braconid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Braconidae). The genome sequence spans 110.40 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 8 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 22.88 kilobases in length.

Rapid evolution of mitochondrion-related genes in haplodiploid arthropods.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial genes and nuclear genes cooperate closely to maintain the functions of mitochondria, especially in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. However, mitochondrial genes among arthropod lineages have dramatic evolutionary rate differences. Haplodiploid arthropods often show fast-evolving mitochondrial genes. One hypothesis predicts that the small effective population size of haplodiploid species could enhance the effect of genetic drift leading to higher substitution rates in mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Alternatively, positive selection or compensatory changes in nuclear OXPHOS genes could lead to the fast-evolving mitochondrial genes. However, due to the limited number of arthropod genomes, the rates of evolution for nuclear genes in haplodiploid species, besides hymenopterans, are largely unknown. To test these hypotheses, we used data from 76 arthropod genomes, including 5 independently evolved haplodiploid lineages, to estimate the evolutionary rates and patterns of gene family turnover of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. RESULTS: We show that five haplodiploid lineages tested here have fast-evolving mitochondrial genes and fast-evolving nuclear genes related to mitochondrial functions, while nuclear genes not related to mitochondrion showed no significant evolutionary rate differences. Among hymenopterans, bees and ants show faster rates of molecular evolution in mitochondrial genes and mitochondrion-related nuclear genes than sawflies and wasps. With genome data, we also find gene family expansions and contractions in mitochondrion-related genes of bees and ants. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reject the small population size hypothesis in haplodiploid species. A combination of positive selection and compensatory changes could lead to the observed patterns in haplodiploid species. The elevated evolutionary rates in OXPHOS complex 2 genes of bees and ants suggest a unique evolutionary history of social hymenopterans.

Venom immunotherapy in clinical practice: comparison of two ultra-rush protocols.

Summary: Background. Ultra-rush venom immunotherapy protocols have shown to be a safe and effective approach to prevent the occurrence of systemic reactions after hymenoptera stings. The aim was to describe our experience with two ultra-rush protocols - a five-step with 1 µg starting dose and a six-step with 0.1 µg starting dose, as well as to compare their safety profile. Methods. This is a retrospective study of all the patients who underwent VIT with honey bee or wasp venom between January 2008 and December 2021, in our department. Results. A total of 110 patients was included, with 109 patients (99%) completing the protocol. A total of 63 (57%) patients had no local or systemic reactions. Most systemic reactions occurred with 20 µg or higher doses (24, 83%). There were no documented grade IV systemic reactions (Mueller grading). No differences were found in local or systemic reactions regarding sex, atopy, ß-blocker medication, the severity of the index reaction, ID test positivity, levels of total IgE, specific IgE and tryptase (all p > 0.05). Younger age, treatment with bee VIT or being a beekeeper were associated with more systemic reactions (p = 0.035, 0.006 and 0.047, respectively). No statistical differences in the number of local and systemic reactions were found when comparing both protocols (p = 1.000). Conclusions. Ultra-rush protocols are safe and effective, but systemic reactions are to be expected, especially with honeybee. Our data supports that ACE inhibitors do not compromise safety. Beginning with 1 µg is safe and can save time and resources.

The genome sequence of the Mournful Wasp, Pemphredon lugubris (Fabricius, 1793).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Pemphredon lugubris (the Mournful Wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Crabronidae). The genome sequence is 328.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 5 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.88 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 10,335 protein coding genes.

Pollinator response to yellow UV-patterned versus white UV-patternless flower dimorphism in Anemone palmata.

Flower colour polymorphisms are uncommon but widespread among angiosperms and can be maintained by a variety of balancing selection mechanisms. Anemone palmata is mostly yellow-flowered, but white-flowered plants coexist in some populations. We analysed the distribution of colour morphs of A. palmata across its range. We also characterised their colours and compared their vegetative and sexual reproductive traits, pollinator attention and fitness. The range of A. palmata is limited to the Western Mediterranean, while white-flowered plants are restricted to Portugal and SW Spain, where they occur at low proportions. Yellow flowers have a characteristic UV pattern, with a UV-absorbing centre and UV-reflecting periphery, which is absent in the white morph. Colour features of both morphs were highly delineated, making it easy for pollinators to distinguish them. Both morphs were protogynous, with the same duration of sexual stages, and the main floral traits related to pollinator attraction, apart from flower colour, were similar. Hymenoptera and Diptera were the main pollinators, showing preference for the yellow morph, clear partitioning of pollinator groups between the two colour morphs and a marked constancy to flower colour during foraging. Both morphs combined clonal propagation with sexual reproduction, but sexual reproductive potential was lower in white-flowered plants. Finally, female fitness was higher in the yellow morph. Pollinator partitioning and colour constancy could maintain this polymorphism, despite the lower visitation rate and fitness of white-flowered plants, which could facilitate their clonal propagation.

Unraveling wasp sensitization in a patient with systemic mastocytosis by CAP-inhibition assay.

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a clonal mast cell disorder that can lead to potentially severe anaphylactic reactions. Hymenoptera sting is one of the most frequent triggers of anaphylaxis in these patients, and diagnosis of indolent SM (ISM) without skin involvement (ISMs) is not rare. In this subgroup of patients, venom immunotherapy (VIT) is an effective treatment decreasing subsequent systemic reactions, and lifelong administration is recommended. An individualized diagnosis is necessary to offer the most adequate VIT, and molecular diagnosis (MD) may be useful to discriminate between primary sensitization and cross-reactivity. Nevertheless, other techniques such as ImmunoCAP inhibition assays may be necessary to identify the genuine sensitization to offer the most suitable VIT. We present a male patient with an anaphylactic reaction following several wasp stings. The patient was diagnosed with ISM, and allergy to both Polistes dominula and Vespula sp venom was confirmed. In this scenario, MD did not discriminate between a genuine double sensitization and venom cross-reactivity between both vespids. Thus, CAP-inhibition assay was performed. This case indicated the importance of an accurate diagnosis of hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA). It also highlights the usefulness of CAP-inhibition assays when MD fails to distinguish between genuine double Polistes-Vespula sensitization and cross-reactivity.

Wolbachia strain diversity in a complex group of sympatric cryptic parasitoid wasp species.

BACKGROUND: Maternally-inherited symbionts can induce pre-mating and/or post-mating reproductive isolation between sympatric host lineages, and speciation, by modifying host reproductive phenotypes. The large parasitoid wasp genus Cotesia (Braconidae) includes a diversity of cryptic species, each specialized in parasitizing one to few related Lepidoptera host species. Here, we characterized the infection status of an assemblage of 21 Cotesia species from 15 countries by several microbial symbionts, as a first step toward investigating whether symbionts may provide a barrier to gene flow between these parasitoid host lineages. RESULTS: The symbiotic microbes Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Microsporidium and Spiroplasma were not detected in the Cotesia wasps. However, the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was present in at least eight Cotesia species, and hence we concentrated on it upon screening additional DNA extracts and SRAs from NCBI. Some of the closely related Cotesia species carry similar Wolbachia strains, but most Wolbachia strains showed patterns of horizontal transfer between phylogenetically distant host lineages. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of co-phylogenetic signal between Wolbachia and Cotesia suggests that the symbiont and hosts have not coevolved to an extent that would drive species divergence between the Cotesia host lineages. However, as the most common facultative symbiont of Cotesia species, Wolbachia may still function as a key-player in the biology of the parasitoid wasps. Its precise role in the evolution of this complex clade of cryptic species remains to be experimentally investigated.

The genome sequence of an ichneumonid wasp, Oxytorus armatus Thomson, 1883.

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Oxytorus armatus (an ichneumonid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae). The genome sequence is 367.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 13 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 56.22 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of an ichneumonid wasp, Exephanes ischioxanthus (Gravenhorst, 1829).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Exephanes ischioxanthus (an ichneumonid wasp; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae). The genome sequence is 284.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 19.43 kilobases in length.

Health-related quality of life in severe hypersensitivity reactions: focus on severe allergic asthma and hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis-a cross-sectional study.

Background: Growing evidence reveals the important role of clinical psychological factors in chronic-immune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL), depression, anxiety, and alexithymia in patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions such as Severe Allergic Asthma (SAA) and Hymenoptera Venom Anaphylaxis (HVA). Methods: The Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), the Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire (BDI-II), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were used to assess HR-QoL and clinical psychological features of patients with SAA and HVA. Results: Overall, 78 patients were recruited. Patients with SAA (n = 35) reported lower scores for physical functioning [65 (58-75) vs. 90 (85-95); p = <0.001], role limitations due to physical health [25 (0-50) vs. 62 (50-75); p = 0.004], bodily pain [47.5 (41.1-61.3) vs. 55.5 (55-96); p = 0.001], general health [40 (30-60) vs. 70 (50-80); p = 0.0003] and social functioning [50 (37.5-62.5) vs. 62.5 (54.9-75); p = 0.007] while higher scores for depressive symptoms [14 (11-15.4) vs. (9.5 (6-15.4); p = 0.05)] compared to HVA patients (n = 43). All the dimensions of SF-36 were negatively correlated with anxiety (r from -0.26 to -0.66; p all < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (r from -0.44 to -0.73; p all < 0.001). Alexithymia was negatively correlated with vitality (r = -0.28; p = 0.02) and mental health (r = -027; p = 0.03). Additionally, patients with alexithymia (38% of participants) showed higher levels of depressive symptoms [9.5 (10-19) vs. 14 (6-13.9); p = 0.005] and anxiety levels [31 (27.9-35) vs. 24 (16-33.9); p = 0.02]; they also showed less vitality [40 (39.9-50) vs. 55 (50-60) p = 0.01], social functioning [50 (37.5-62.5) vs. 62.5 (50 vs. 75); p = 0.01] and mental health [48 (44-60) vs. 68 (56-76); p = 0.004]. Conclusion: Clinical psychological features due to severe hypersensitive reactions may contribute to the patient's perceived HR-QoL. Focused clinical psychological interventions should be promoted to improve the clinical management of such conditions.

Highlighting overlooked biodiversity through online platforms: The "Chalcid Wasps of Cyprus" website.

Biodiversity data platforms including databases, websites and data repositories underpin conservation efforts by collecting spatiotemporal data of discovered native and alien species and maps of their distributions. Chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) are one of the most diverse insect groups estimated to include half a million species. Being mostly parasitoids of other arthropods, they have been successfully used as biological control agents against serious agricultural pests worldwide. In Cyprus, only 124 species of chalcid wasps have been recorded, with 53 species being alien to the island. Their true biodiversity is predicted to be much larger because the island is both under-sampled and under-researched. A number of biodiversity data platforms focusing on the biodiversity of Cyprus are currently online; however, an online platform dedicated on the chalcid wasps of Cyprus is lacking. In the framework of the Darwin Plus Fellowship (DPLUS202) "Species richness and biological invasions of Chalcid wasps in Akrotiri Peninsula", the "Chalcid wasps of Cyprus" website (https://sites.google.com/view/chalcidwaspscyprus) is presented. This online, dynamic database aims to: (1) raise public awareness regarding a rather neglected and yet ecologically important insect group, (2) provide data on the morphology, ecology and biodiversity of Chalcidoidea on Cyprus, as well as (3) promote conservation needs by setting a baseline for the future assessment of both native and alien chalcid wasp species. This online platform will be regularly revised in order to provide an up-to-date, user-friendly digital environment to the scientific community, policy-makers and citizens.

Prevalence and population genetic analyses of parasites in invasive Vespa velutina and native Hymenoptera.

Invasive species pose a threat to the ecological balance of the ecosystems they invade by altering local host-pathogen dynamics. To investigate these relationships and their potential consequences, we examined the prevalence and genetic diversity patterns of Trypanosomatidae, Lipotrophidae, and Nosematidae in a collection of sympatric isolates of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina and local Hymenoptera from two recently colonized areas: Europe and South Korea. Data were gathered through PCR amplification and massive parallel sequencing, and analyses were conducted using population genetics tools. Parasite prevalences showed substantial variation depending on (i) the parasite family (Trypanosomatidae and Nosematidae were the most and less prevalent, respectively), (ii) location (e.g. Galicia displayed the highest pooled values), (iii) the season (highest in spring for Trypanosomatidae and Lipotrophidae), and (iv) the host. V. velutina exhibited significantly lower parasite occurrence than native Hymenoptera across all parasite families (consistent with the enemy release hypothesis), although this difference was less pronounced during the periods of heightened predatory activity, suggestive of trophic transmission. Parasite species displayed significant genetic differentiation between European and South Korean isolates, yet no differentiation was observed across hosts, suggesting that all Hymenoptera are exposed to a common local pathogen population. There was no indication that V. velutina acted as a carrier of foreign parasites to the invaded territories.

Evolution of odorant receptor repertoires across Hymenoptera is not linked to the evolution of eusociality.

Communication is essential for social organisms. In eusocial insects, olfaction facilitates communication and recognition between nestmates. The study of certain model organisms has led to the hypothesis that odorant receptors are expanded in eusocial Hymenoptera. This has become a widely mentioned idea in the literature, albeit with conflicting reports, and has not been tested with a broad comparative analysis. Here we combined existing genomic and new neuroanatomical data, including from an approximately 100 Myr old fossil ant, across a phylogenetically broad sample of hymenopteran lineages. We find no evidence that variation in the size and evolutionary tempo of odorant receptor repertoires is related to eusociality. Post hoc exploration of our data hinted at loss of flight as a possible factor shaping some of the variation in OR repertoires in Hymenoptera. Nevertheless, our analyses revealed a complex pattern of evolutionary variation, and raise new questions about the ecological, behavioural and social factors that shape olfactory abilities.

Slit in a Nest Site Influences the Nest Site Selection in Cavity Nesting Ant Colonies.

For ants, nests provide a refuge against predators and protection from environmental factors. Thus, choosing a good nest site is important for an ant colony, but nest sites are limited resources. Ants of the genus Temnothorax inhabit small cavities in, e.g., acorns, twigs and under rocks. Earlier, it was shown that the ants are able to choose a superior site. In this study, using binary choice tests, we studied the nest site selection by Temnothorax crassispinus ant colonies that typically inhabit empty acorns. For this purpose, we used artificial nest sites without and with an additional slit in the nest wall, mimicking the cracks in potential nest sites under natural conditions. We found that the ant colonies preferred artificial nest sites without these slits. However, no difference in the number of colonies inhabited nest sites with a slit vs. those without a slit was found when the slits were closed using transparent food foil, which prevented the air flow while keeping an inflow of light. What is more, additional light through the hole in the red filter covering the artificial nest sites had no influence on the nest site selection. The results of this study suggest that the air flow through a slit in the nest site wall, rather than additional light, influences the nest site selection. The absence of cracks, e.g., in acorns, could be an indication of the durability of potential nest sites. Thus, choosing a cavity without such damage could be beneficial for the ant colonies.

The genome sequence of a sawfly Macrophya annulata (Geoffroy, 1785).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Macrophya annulata (sawfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Tenthredinidae). The genome sequence is 236.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 8 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 31.23 kilobases in length.