Evaluation of the insect parasitic nematode, Sphaerularia vespae, as a biological control agent for hornets

最近，我们从北海道的普通大黄蜂皇后（Vespa simillima）身上发现了一种昆虫寄生线虫，并将其描述为新种Sphaerularia vesae。我们还证实了S. vespae能使蜂王绝育。在这项研究中，我们调查了线虫的寄主范围、地理分布和生活史。在7种日本大黄蜂（Vespa spp.）中，寄生蜂除寄生相似大黄蜂外，还寄生mandarinia和dybowskii；居住在日本的三个主要岛屿（北海道、本州和九州）；并在冬眠的地方感染雌性（潜在的下一代女王）。考虑到其寄主包括两种最危险的物种，即mandarinia和v.s simillima，以及其在日本广泛的地理分布和感染途径，我们认为vespae是一种很有前途的大黄蜂生物防治剂。

Recently, we found an insect-parasitic nematode from the queen of common hornet, Vespa simillima, from Hokkaido and described it as a new species, Sphaerularia vespae. We also confirmed S. vespae sterilizes the queen hornets. In this study, we examined the host range, geographical distribution and life history of the nematode. Then we clarified that S. vespae parasitizes V.mandarinia and V.dybowskii in addition to V.simillima among seven species of Japanese hornets, (Vespa spp.) ; inhabits three Japanese main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu) ; and infests gynes (potential queens of next generation) in their hibernation site. In consideration of its hosts including two most dangerous species, V.mandarinia and V.simillima, its wide geographical distribution in Japan and its infection route, we concluded that S. vespae is a promising candidate for the biological control agent of hornets.