Beyond Deception: What Else Do Flower Wasps (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Thynninae) Do in Flowers Worldwide?

Author(s)

Cunha, Leidy Kelly Guimaraes ; Santos, Eduardo Fernando ; de Sousa Perugini, Luis Gustavo ; Souza, Camila Silveira ; Rech, Andre Rodrigo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Applied Entomology; v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2025-06-20.

Abstract

Wasps, although less recognised as good pollinators, also feed on nectar and pollinate flowers. Specialised pollination systems, such as orchids that mimic the pheromones of female wasps to attract males, are complex and specific. This interaction occurs with some Thyninnae wasps that also visit flowers to obtain nectar and perform other ecosystem functions. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to survey literature on interactions between these wasps and flowers globally; to assess patterns of flower visitation using interaction network metrics; and to enhance records of interactions by analysing pollen on the bodies of species from the neotropical region. To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive search in online databases such as Web of Science and Google Scholar to study Thynninae and plants and reviewed images on platforms like Flickr and iNaturalist. Interaction networks between plants and wasps were constructed, where we evaluated modularity, the role and the degree of species. We analysed pollen on 16 Thynninae species from different biomes in Brazil and Colombia, identifying pollen grains and assessing the diversity of plants visited. We recorded 359 interactions between Thynninae and plants, with 130 for nectar, 228 through sexual deception and one by sexual deception associated with feeding behaviour. We found 41 genera of wasps interacting with 41 genera of plants. The most frequent nectar-seeking interactions between Thynninae wasps and flowers were with Eucalyptus (20) and Leptospermum (19). The interaction network presented species with a low degree, meaning few interaction records per species, and a modular network structure. Pollen analyses revealed that Pseudoscotaena aff. polistoides uses Achyrocline albicans as an important food source. The study highlights the importance of Myrtaceae as a significant nectar source for these wasps. We documented the first records of Thynninae in the Neotropical America and suggest future studies on their behaviour and pollination efficiency. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/09215-6 - Countering the taxonomic impediment of aculeate wasps: micro- and macroregional visions of the neotropical fauna
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Noll
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/06632-2 - Fauna of the Neotropical Thynninae: distribution and new morphological and molecular data for the taxonomy of the group
• Grantee: Eduardo Fernando dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral