Vespula flaviceps

Vespula flaviceps
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Genus: Vespula
Species: V. flaviceps
Binomial name
Vespula flaviceps
(Smith, 1870)

Vespula flaviceps is a species of social wasp in the genus Vespula. It found in Eastern Asia and Japan. Studies have suggested that the queens of this species may mate with more males and use sperm more evenly. The reason for this is not yet well understood.[1]

Taxonomy

Synonyms

V. flaviceps has been described by various other binomial names. A list of such names is presented below:[2]

Subspecies

V. flaviceps has two subspecies. They are V. f. flaviceps and V. f. lewisii.

Distribution and habitat

V. flaviceps is native to Eastern Asia and Japan. It can be found most prominently on the Japanese Islands, but is also present in South Korea and the southern portion of Primorsky Krai.[2] Its population may be threatened by invasive raccoons, which prey upon it during the summer and autumn.[3]

V. flaviceps is found in forests. During a two-year study in Japan, the species was observed to be one of the predominant species in the natural deciduous forests of northern Kanto. In 2001, it was officially recorded as one of the predominant species in this area, making up, along with two other species, 91% of all social wasps caught in a forest sampled.[4] However, the same species was found to be much less abundant than Vespa species when attracted using a different bait.[4]

As food

V. flaviceps larvae
V. flaviceps hive, showing larvae and pupae. The larvae are often consumed by humans.

V. flaviceps is popular as food in Central Japan. All of its stages are consumed, but the larvae are considered a special delicacy.[5] Small colonies may be collected and relocated into artificial hives near dwellings for the purpose of harvesting them for food.[6] These colonies are sometimes even sheltered over the winter by humans, which benefits not only the humans but the wasps as well. This protection from the cold greatly helps their chances of survival.[6]

In some regions of Japan, V. flaviceps is eaten in a dish with rice.[5] In the Chubu area (including Nagano, Gifu and Aichi), a dish in which the larvae are prepared in rice is considered a delicacy. This dish is eaten during special events, especially the autumn festivals.[5] V. flaviceps may be prepared cooked, fried, or pickled. Larvae and pupae are often taken from nests and seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, and artificial seasonings.[5] Recently, collection of this species from inside Japan for food has decreased, and importation from Korea has increased.

References

  1. ↑ Foster, Kevin R.; Francis L. W. Ratnieks (2001). "Paternity, reproduction, and conflict in vespine wasps: A model system for testing kin selection predictions" (PDF). Springer-Verlag. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Species: Vespula flaviceps (Smith, 1870)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. 2000. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  3. ↑ Ikeda, Tohru; Makoto Asano; Yohei Matoba; Go Abe (2004). "Present Status of Invasive Alien Raccoon and its Impact in Japan" (PDF). AIRIES. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  4. 1 2 Totok, Mei Untarto; Shun'ichi Makino; Hideaki Goto (2002). "Species Compositions and Seasonal Changes in the Number of Social Wasps Collected with Malaise traps inNatural Deciduous Forests in and near the Ogawa Research Forest, Northern Kanto, Japan (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)" (PDF). Bulletin of FFPRI. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Makoto, Matsuura (1999). "The History and Present Situation of Insect Foods in Japan : Focusing on Wasp and Hornet Broods (Abstract)". Bulletin of the Faculty of Bioresources. Mie University. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  6. 1 2 Toms, Rob; Kenichi Nonaka (2005). "Sustainable Harvesting in Japan". Harvesting of insects in South Africa and Japan- Indigenous Knowledge in the Classroom. Merck Education. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
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