Mutualistic Relationships between Microorganisms and Eusocial Wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Stefano Turillazzi; Niccolò Meriggi; Duccio Cavalieri

doi:10.3390/microorganisms11051340

Mutualistic Relationships between Microorganisms and Eusocial Wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Microorganisms. 2023 May 19;11(5):1340. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11051340.

Authors

Stefano Turillazzi^{1

2

3}, Niccolò Meriggi^{1

2}, Duccio Cavalieri^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology, University of Firenze, Via M. del Piano 6, 50019 Firenze, Italy.
² Joint Laboratory LABREMMA, University of Firenze, Via M. del Piano 6, 50019 Firenze, Italy.
³ Insect Pharma Entomotherapy s.r.l., Via M. del Piano 6, 50019 Firenze, Italy.

Abstract

Eusocial wasps are represented in the Vespidae by the subfamilies Stenogastrinae, Vespinae and Polistinae. These wasps present colonies that are sometimes composed of thousands of individuals which live in nests built with paper materials. The high density of the adult and larval population, as well as the stable micro environment of the nests, make very favourable conditions for the flourishing of various types of microorganisms. These microorganisms, which may be pathogens, are beneficial and certainly contribute to model the sociality of these insects. The mutualistic relationships that we observe in some species, especially in Actinomycete bacteria and yeasts, could have important fallouts for the development of new medicines and for the use of these insects in agricultural environments.

Keywords: antimicrobial secretions; bacteria; fungi; mutualistic symbioses; social wasps; viruses; yeasts.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

The research was funded by the Joint Laboratory for the Research on Medical, Microbiological and Environmental Entomotherapy (LABREMMA) at the University of Florence.