Japanese Smith, (Hymenoptera:an - J-STAGE

The Japan Society of Medical Entomology and Zoology

NII-Electronic Library Service

The JapanSociety ofMedicalEntomology andZoology '

(Jap, J.Sanit. Zool,Vol. 32 No.3 p.203-2131981)

The Japanese

nuisanee pesthornet

Vespa simillima Smith,

in urban areas (Hymenoptera:an important

Vespidae)')

Shuniichi MAKiNo,2) Seiki YAMANE,a) Teruhiko BAN4) and Iwao KuNou5)

2) Entomological Institute, Facorlty of Agriculture, Hokkaido Universit)'.

Sapporo 060, JaPan

S) Department of Biolog),. Faculty of Science, Kagoshima University,

Kagoshima 890, laPan

`) Otaru Public Heatth Centre, Otaru 047, JaPan

:' Department of Medical Zootegy. Kyoto Prefectural Universit)/ of Medicine,

Kamikyo-ku, Kyoto 602, JaPan, and Sanitary Pest Control Section, EPidemic Pret/ent Centre, Kyoto Cit}r, Nahak),o-ku,

Kyoto 604, JaPan

(Received: February 23, 1981)

Abstract: Taxenomy, life history, nest architecture, and nesting habits of

VesPa similtima Smith are given, It is one of the most common vespines in Japan and a nuisance pest in residential and urban areas. The species consists of two

subspecies, V. s. simillima Smith and V. s. xanthoptera Cameron. In Hokkaido,

northern Japan, IL s. simillima colonies last for ca, 4,5 months, i.e., from late May

to early October, and mature nests have mean values of 1,821 cells, 6.6 combs and

315 adults. Colony size was considerably smaller than in xanthoPteTa (southern subspecies), probably because of the short colonial duration in the subspecies simit-

lima, Preferred nest sites differed between the subspecies as well as among habitats.

Structural nests were very frequent in urban areas: ca, 50% ef a total of 600 nests

destroyed in Otaru, Hokkaido, between 1974 and 1980 were built in wall voids of

buildings (subsp. simillima), and ca. 7091) of 150 nests destroyed in Kyoto, south-

western Honshu in 1978 were in attics (subsp. xanthoptera). In Otaru, ca. 70% of

the people injured by the hornet were stung by wasps nesting in wall voids of

buildings. Control techniques are given with examples adopted by the Otaru Public Health Centrc,

INTRoDucTioN occur in high densities, their biology, impact

on rnan and possible control measures have

In Europe and North America, where recently been investigated (Kemper and

vespine wasps (mainly VesPztla species> may D6hring, 1967; Spradbery, 1973J Akre and

Davis, 1978; Edwards, 1980; MacDonald,i}

Contributien No. 427 from the Department of

Medical Zoology, Kyote Prefectural University

of Medicine (by I.K.),2]

{ft wi va - : ;t] }ff M JFt \X &it ",BE ILI i? gS

(+ 060 iL Cn iii :k vatt 9 ecde 9 T H )3)

miREx: eeytk]iti}z-#sgitto\ifin-- (+ 890 ee ve re iti as it 1-2 1-35)4)

･lj pmue: ,"utTtivatsrvi (+ 047 ,JxkeTrielan1T

U 5-12)5) eA.ftlj tw: JLIk-asNgki")lt#EwhtzeTthS

( + 602 k' g-rs rti .Ei rtL' X ifiT za Mf iil ,]i ea) ; taP as Tti ut ut ggfff th ue es (+ 6o4 "a:lii rti fi xf tsm th N mT)203

1980). In Japan, on the other hand, studies

on vespines as pests have been few in num-ber exccpt those reporting damage to apicul-

ture by somc l"esPa (hornet) species (e.g.,Matsuura and Sakagami, 1973). Howex,er,in the last several years stings or nests of

vespines have become a social problem in

Japan, especially in urban or residential

areas. In some local authorities, publichealth centres or police oMces have been re-

quested by the inhabitants to destroy the



The JapanSociety ofMedical Entomology and Zooldgy

204

nests constructed in buildings or their sur-

roundings.

Among 16 species of Vespinae eccurring in

Japan, VesPa simiilima Smith (the Japanesehornet) is one of the most common specics inurban areas as well as in natural environ-

ments, and frequently nests in domestic

structures, e.g., under the eaves, on the ceil-

ing of attics, or in wall veids. The residents

are bothered by the stings, or even by the

rnere presence of the hornets because of their

Iarge size and populous colonies, In spite of

these, little information is available on nest-

ing habits or injuries by stings of the species

in urban or residential areas. This studv re- i

ports on the biology of this important spe-

cies, with notes on taxonomy, geographicaldistribution, general Iife history, and nesting

habits, In addition, the actualities of stings

by the hornets in urban areas, and counter-

measures against them adopted by the OtaruPublic Health Centre in Hokkaido are de-scribed,

TAxoNoMy AND DISTRIBUTION

There have been sorne confusions in thetaxonomy of VesPa simillima. Presently, two

Jap. J. Sanit. Zool.

subspecies are recognized.

V. s. simillima Smith, 1868: 9 and 9.Brownish black. The fellowing parts yel-lowish: head except interantennal area and

around ocelli extensively, occasienally prono-turn, scutel]um and postscutellum, spot under

wing base, forefemora apically, tibiae and

tarsi of all Iegs, narrow apical band on gas-tral tergite I, wide apical bands on tergites

II-V, tergite VI ancl sternite VI wholly, and

wide apical bands on sternites II-V. TergiteI sometimes with rufous markings basally,S',similar to the female in coleration, Dis-tribution: Ussuri, Sakhalin, South Kuriles

(Chishima), and Hokkaido (cf, Fig. 1).

V. s. xanthoPtera Cameron, 1903: 9 and

9. Yellow and orange more extensive. Pro-notum, scutellum and postscutellum always

extensively coloured yellow, Propodeum usu-

ally with a pair of large yellowish spets.

Gastral tergite I always with an orange bandbasalJy which usually extends over the ver-

tical face of the tergite. Yellow bands on

tergites and sternites much wider than in thenominate form, Tergite II often with a pairof large orange spots basally. In some south-

ern specimens the gaster nearly who]ly yel-lowish. However, in specimens from northern

'S

Fig. 1 Map of Japan and vicinity, showing some of the localities

mentioned in the text

Detted line indicates the distribution ef the two subspecies [s. simillima (north) and s. xanthoPtera (south)] in Japan.

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The JapanSociety of Medical Entomology and Zoology

Vo!, 32 No.3 1981

Honshu the coiour pattern is transitional to

the nominate form. 6.similar to the femalein coloration. Distribution: Honshu, Shi-

koku, Kyushu and South Korea (?) (cf, Fi.cr.1),

In the Japanese literature these two sub-

spccies have often been treated as distinct

species (Sonan, 1935; Ishikawa, 1965). Ishi-kawa described differences in the shape of

the 6th and 7th male gastral sternite be-tween the two forrns. However. this charac- 'ter does not seern to be constant. On the

other hand, following Vecht (1959) Matsu-ura and Sakagami (1973) adopted the name

liesPa mongogica Andre to the subspecies

xanthoPtera. However, V. mongoZica is no

doubt a synonym ef If', simillima as pointedby Sonan (1935) (for synonyms, see Edwards,

1980, p, 861). Specimens from VIadivostok,the type locality of IJ. m･ongolica, were com-

pared with those from Hokkaido, and no

important differences were found, The

South Korean population may belong to the

subsp, xanthoptera, based on the colour

drawins.s of this species presented by Kim

(1970; pl, 4-8, figs. 606a,b>, However, the

same author (1980) presented a photographand brief descriptien of the Korean

t`IJ.

simillima;" which agree "'ith the present de-scription of the subsp. simitginta. This can

be supported by one speciTnen of queen from

Tong}nvasa (S. Korea; S. Hara leg,) Nvhich

}･vell agrees w{th specin]ens from }Iok'kaido.'1'here

is no reliable record of this species

from China. To clarify the exact distribution 'of thesc forms, intcnsive colleetions are

needed in Korea and China. In southern

China, T'aiwan and adjacent tLrens, this spe-

cies is replaced by IJesi)a vcltttina Lepeletier.

LIFE HIsToRy

The life historv of l･i similtima simiilirna iand sorne other vesl]id species in Hokkaidois schematically shown in Fig. 2. 0ver-wintered queens of V. s. sim,iltima appear in

earlv to mid-]Niav and initiate nests from l ilate rv{ay to early June. Nests are built in

protected places (e..a., subterranean or treehollows) or in open sites (e.g., on tree twigs

or in bushes). Queens (foundresses) first con-

struct the pedicel, two or three incipient

205

MARAPRMAYJUNjULAY,G ecT

Rsp.HP,sep'.･:,,5g--"M

SEP,i,111'11111111R-i,11/'')/ttH

D.mm ,"Stft,i-Ekr,･k'

1,11/1'Ellll,/

Vp.e,i. ,I.ily'･:.i{l-ttfit/･'fiVp.s.s

{.･,tt･･'lti,:1,f,Ei.･;/･:.E･}''

vpf,[L ',･rtm-ll:/ee',nft.",y

Fig, 2 Life history in some vespid species oc-

curring in Hokkaido

P. sp,: Polistes sp. near n),mpha; D,m.m.:

Dolichovespura media media/, VP.a.i.:

Vespa analis insularis; Vp.s.s.: Iiespa si-

milli,na similli,na; Vpl.f.l.: Vespula fiavi- ceps lezvisii. H: hibernating period; P:

pve-nesting stage; S: solitary stage; M:

matrifilial stage; R: reproductive stage,

cells, and then start the env･elope from the

substrate near the base of pedicel. CoTn-

pleted embryo (queen) nests have more than

30 cells and four to fivc envelope sheets, and

measure about 7 cm in diameter (for detailsof embrvo nest architecture. see )v{akino and i t

1['amane, 1980). During thc solitary sta.cre,

espeeially in its first 1ialf, foundresses fre-

quently curl themselvcs around the pedi-cel on the s.mall comb when rcsting. This:ict raises cell wa]1 temperature, and prob-ably serN'es to incubatc the eggs (rvfakino and

Yamane, 1980; Edwards, 1980). In one cm-

bryo nest suspended from the ceiling of a

cabin in Sapporo, foreign queen(s> were

often observed visiting it, presumably at-

ternpting to usurp the colony. This phenom-enon has also been reported for other hor-

nets; IJt?sPa crabro fiavofasciata in southern

I{[onshu (}y･Iatsuura, l970), ancl I.T, analis in-

sttlaris in I'Iol{Itaido (Yarnane and A(akino,

personal observation),

In Hokkaido, t.he Ilrst workers eTnerge in]atc Junc to earl>' July. In a fe", neists, after

the eclosion of a reasonable nunnber of

workers, some leave the original nest and

initiate a new nest [it another site (usuallyunder the eaves of buildins.; nest transloca-

tion sensu, Edwards, 1980). In one case ob-

served in 1977 in Sapporo, soTne workers

were observed scarching for a new nest site

around thc eaves of a building from July 24onward. The original nest was found under

the floor of the sarne building, but was not

acccssible, and had not been disturbed bythe residents. On July 27 (3:OOp.M.) sev-




206

Table 1 Colony size of mature nests

..7 'ef VesPa

Jap. J. Sanit. Zool.

simillima similtima in Hokkaido

Nest No,i) DateEnvelopesize (cm)WxH

No. ofcombsTotalNo. of

"

cells F-92) 9No.

of adults

snew 9Total

S6901S7628S7741Sm7844Sm7851Sm7852Sm7854Sm7859Sm7861Sm7960Sm8062Oct. 2, 1969

Sep. 10, 1976

Oct. 10, 1977

Aug, 31, 1978

Aug, 31, 1978Sep. 5, 1978

Sep. 12, 1978Sep. 15. 1978

Sep. 11, 1979

Sep, 11, 1980

25× 3S

22 × 31

28× ?

37 × 42

7105468767842,3252,116

956

5022,4241,8121,7971,4391,4774,209l,427

11o11e1lo11 64235

28

9183322278184185357267

re144

o

4 1

11 34

30123315

65

1464937

1 7

361602913258

259429

65

15192336374275337805391

1) AII nests were collected in Sapporo, except

2) Foundress,

eral workers gathered at a point under the

eaves of the building about 6m from the

original nest site. Nest construction rate was

quite high. On August 6, the nest includ-ing the envelope measured 13 cm wide and

14cm high, and had three combs with a

total of 287 cells containing eggs and firstto fourth instar larvae. The foundress and

58 workers were collected from the new

nest, and 18 workers were collected near the

original nest which was still producingworkers. At least 3 or 9% of 32 nests

collected in Hokkaido were secondary nests

of this type, Nest translocation is mere

often observed in southern Japan (Matsuura,1976): up to 60% of colonies of V. s. xan-

thoPtera were reportecl to perform this feat

(Edwards, 1980). In most cases, the found-ress initiates the nest in a small protectedspace where the microclimatic conditions are

favourable for embryo nest development, andthe entire colony moves to a more spacious

site when lt becomes too large (Edwards,1980).

In Hokkaido, nests had 2-8 combs (M =

4,8, n =8) with 499-2,424 cells(X :1,258,9,

n=8) in late August. Males begin to emerge

at the end of August, followed by the eclo-

sion ef new queens. Foundresses usually

survive until mid September, and in one nest

for Sm7851

*

"Mature

colonies" are defined in this paper as

colonies in which new queens' had begun to

emerge at the time of collection.

and Sm7852 (Bibai), and Sm7861 (Otaru).

the foundress was still a]ive on October 2.Foundresses from mature nests were often

devoid of body hairs and appeared pol-ished. However, in 4 of 14 nests collected in

August the foundress had been lost, resurt-

ing in orphan nests (cf. Yamane, 1974).

Males and new queens leave the nest fromIate September to mid October, and presum-ably mate outside, although new queen be-haviour after the departure from nests hasnot been observed in detail. After copulationnew queens search for overwintering sites

(hibernacula are usually found in rotten

woodi Yamane and Kanda, 1979). Malesand workers usually die by mid- or Iate-October, In southern Japan, the colony dur-ation of the subsp. xanthoptera is 1.5-2

months Ienger than that of simillima in Hok-kaido, i.e.. nests are initiated in early May

and colonies survive until early November inWakayama Prefecture (Matsuura, 1974).However, colonies are, without exception,

annual.

COLONY SIZE

VesPa simillima has the rnost popu]ouscolonies of all Japanese hornets (Matsuuraand Sakagami, 1973; Matsuura, 1974).Mature colonies* of V. s. simitlima averaged

6.6 combs, 1,821 cells and 315 adults (Table1). The largest nest collected (Sm7960; Figs.3, 4; cf. Table 1) probably represents a maxi-

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Vol. 32 No.3 1981

mal colony in Hokkaido (4,209 cells). How-ever, in central to southwestern Japan J.'. s.

xanthoPtera constructs far larger colonies

than does V. s, sinzillima. For example, inX'Vakayama Prefecture the total number of

cells in mature nests of xanthoptera sorne-

times exceeds 10,OOO, iN'ith more than 1,OOO

workers (Matsuura, 1974). The difference incolony size between the two forms may bedue mainly to the longer colony duration of

xanthoptera in southern Japan. The repro-

ductiN.e productivity will be diseussed in a

separate paper.

NEsT STRUCTURE

The following description is based on

observations of mature nests of V. s. simil-

tima constructed in open sites. External ap-

pearance of a nest varied from nearly spher-

ical to teardrop-shaped (Figs. 4 vs. 8), Nestmaterial is brittle and brownish yellow to

brovv･n in eolour. The envelope had a multi-

layered shell-like structure as seen in Vespaanalis (e.g,, Yamane and Makino, 1977), and

entirely covered the combs except for an

entrance hole in the Tniddle to upper part of

the nest, Outer dirnensions of some nests are

given in Table 1. Thickness of the envelope

varied among nests, but was usually 20-30mm (cf. Fig. 9). However in one nest

(Srn7854,; Fig. 8) suspended from a twig, the

top of the nest was conical as in sorne tropi-

cal hornets (e.g,, Vecht, 1957) and was

90 mm thick. Combs were nearly circular to

oval, and were connected by columnar sus-

pensoria: all combs hacl multiple suspensoria,

except for an incipient comb. The number

varied with the size of comb, but was usually

5-l:5. The centrallv-located stalk was the '

mainstay <4-5 mm thick), and additional pil-lars (2-3mm thick) were scattered on the

cornb. Occasionally some suspensoria con-

necting the first comb with the top of nest,

and rarely those connecting the first comb

with the second, were ribbon-like shaped as

seen in VesPa analis (cf. Yamane and Ma-kino, 1977).

Some structural modifications were ap-

parent in some nests constructed in closed

spaces, e,g., in narrow wall voids of build-ings. The envelope was absent where combs

207

",ere adjacent to the wall or other obstacles

(Fig, 7). Paper pulp was placed into slits

between the outer wall boards, and layers of+`envelope':

were often constructed outside

on the wall (Fig, 5>. A rare and interestingcase was encountered, in which the nest

(Sm7861) xiv'as constructed in a nest box forwild birds (Fig. 6). Although the nest site

was almost completely proteeted, layers of

ttens,elopei'

covered the outer surface of the

nest box, Location of the entrance holevaried among nests. Combs had rectangular

or other irregular shapes.

NEstr SITE

IL simitlima nests in open and protcctedsites, and in aerial and subterranean sites

(Matsuura, l971). In natural habitats nests

are built in subterranean or tree hollows, on

twigs, or in bushes. For instance, in the

Botanical Garden of Holckaido Universitywhere natural environments are relativelv v

well preserved, 10 of 22 I'T. s. sirniZZirna nests

observed for eleven years (1969-1979) were

constructed on twigs (usually within 2mabove the ground). One was under the

eaves of a building, five were in tree hol-lo",s. one was in a subterranean hollow and

fis,e were in wall voids of buildings, Thus,50C}Z of the nests were constructed in open

sites in the area.

N･SJe also located vespine nests in a sparse

forest (10ha) in Ashibetsu, Hokkaido on

August 30, 1972. Almost all of the small-

to medium-sized trees in the area had been

cut do"'n for a future planting of conifers.

Larg'e liN,e and fallen trees were scattered on

the ground among the undergrowth of bam-boo grasses and other plants, There were

found in the area one Vespttla shidai (deadtree hollow), one Vespa crabro flavofasciata(clead tree hollow), one probable V. rn,an-

darinia 1'aP･onica (subterranean hollow near

the roots of a live tree), and ten V. s. simit-

tima nests. Four siniillima nests were foundin dead tree hollows (1.8-7m above the

ground), one in a subterranean hollow near

the roots of a tree, and five on twigs of small

trees or on stems of bamboo grasses near the

ground.

Matsuura (1971) reported that in Waka-

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208 Jap,

'Figs.3-9

J. Sanit,

j,j

ev"e

9

Zool.

yarria Prefecture, aerial nests of V. s. xarz-

thoPtera were usually found under the eaves

of buildings between 2-7m above the

ground, and only four nests s･vere found on

tree twigs about 10m

However. in Hokkaido1 m abo<'e the groundare not rare, especially

above the

aerial nests

(such as in in natural

ground.Iess than

bushes)envlron-




Vol. 32 No.3 1981

ments. Thus, in Hokkaido nest sites of V.s. simillima sometimes overlap those of V.analis insttlaris which usually nests near the

ground (cf. Yamane and Makino, 1977).

IMpAcT oN MAN

1. Nests in urban areas

Generally, "social

wasp problems" re]ated

to human Iife have two aspects: scavenging

wasps in parks, campground etc,, where gar-bage or other foods are concentrated; and

nests in domestic structures (MacDonald et

al., 1976; MacDonald, 1980). The formeraspect does not appear to be serious in Ja-pan, probably because of the relatively lower

population densities of scavenging Nvasps

(mainly Vespula species) than present in

North America or Europe. Howcver, nesting

209

in domestic structures or their surroundings

has recently become important.

In Hokkaido, such "synanthropic:'

species

include DolichovesPula media media and D.

saxonica nipponica (nesting mainly under

the eaves, in trees or hedges), Vcspula fiavi-ceps leieisii, I.T. shidai and JJ. "ritfa"

schren-

ckii (in wall voids etc.). I"espa crabro flavo-fasciata (in attics or cabins), and the most

abundant and synanthropic species, V, s.

simillima. About 70% of the total number

of vespine colonies destro>,ed 1)y rhe OtaruPublic Health Centre (Hokkaide> nre V, s.

simillima (Ban, 1980a; cf. Table 2). Thesouthwestern counterpart, c..a., in Kyoto, isV, s. xanthoptera (('a. 40(;･t, of the total num-

ber of nests clestroycd by the Kyoto EpidemicPrevent Centre; Table 2). In urbnn areas

of Kyoto, Polistes nests and APis mellifera

Table 2 Number of nests destroyed by the

Epidemic Prevent CentreOtaruPublic Health Centre and the Kyoto

Otaru VP. s,s.

(%)VPI, spp.

(%)D, spp.

(%)

1977197819791980Total186 (74,7)121 (79.0)52 (63.4)131 (60.4)490 (69.9)

49 (19.7) 7(4.6)19 (23.2)59 (27.2)134 (19,1)

o(o.o)

10 ( 6.6)8 ( 9.8)

24 (11.1)42 (6,O)

Others Total (%)14

<5.6) 249

15 (9.8) 153

3(3.8) 82

S(L 3) 21735 <5.e) 701

A.m.Kyoto (%)

1977 157 (54.5) 50 (17,4) 70 (24,3) 11 (3,8) 288

l978 129 (36.5) 93 (26.3) 103 (29,D 28 (8,1> 353

1979 163 (34.6) 76 (16.1) 186 (39.5) 46 <9,8) 471

Total 449 (4e.4) 219 (19.7) 359 (32.3) 85 (4.6) l,112

A.m.: APis mellifera (natutal nests and swarming clusters, combined); D. spp.: DolichovesPttta media

media and D, saxonica nipponiea; P. ssp,: Polistes spp.; Vpl. spp,: Vespula f7aviceps lezvisii and V.

shidai; Others: VesPa crabro flavofasciata, Vespula "rufa''

schrenckii (Otaru), VesPaanalis insularis,V. mandarinia jaPonica and V. troPica Pulchra (Kyoto),

Figs, 3-9 Various nests of Vespa simillima simillima in Hokkaido

3 Nest Sm7960 under the eaves of a wooclen building (Sep. 11, 1979)

4 The same nest after collection, upside down

5 "Envelope"

attached on the outer surface of the wall, external to the nest inside the

wall void

6 External view of Nest Sm7861 built in a nest box for wild birds (Sep. 15, 1978)

7 Nest constructed in a wall void with wa]1 boards removed. Envclope dicl not cover

entire nest (see text)

8 Nest Sm7854 built on twigs of a tree, ca, 2m high (Sep. 5, 1978)

9 Nest Sm7854, frent half of the envelope removed (Sep. 5, 1978)

VP. s.x.

(%)P, spp.

(%)Others (%)

Total



The JapanSociety ofMedical Entomology and Zoology

210

Table 3 -Nesting

sites of V,

simillima in some Iocalities of Japan

ttrtt ttttrt

Jap. J.

(%)

Sanit.

Protectedsites Open sites

Above the ground(%)

UnderWall Attics thevoids floor

Treehollows Utnhd.er

o.n Ut"hdee' others

Others ground tWigS

eaves

Zool.

Total

Otarul)

Sapporo2]

Kyoto3)

Wakayama Pref.4)

i) Nests destroyed

(V. s. simillima

2) Nests found in

3) Nests destroyed 4) V. s.

(natural nests

fairly frequently,

portance as pests 'most lmportant

vtttgaris is notally confined to

The most

lima interistically

wall

by attics (Tablethat the areas

bv eld wooden 'slits or knotholes

voids, On the

ern Honshu., wl

'

en buildings, V,nests in attics )

voids. There isdifferences in

in the two

in Otaru.Iarge enough

because eolonv i

than in the

tral to southern

In Kyoto, the

to contain thc

Queens may

nest initiation, or

as the original

more spacious

'

304(50. 7)

11(23. 9)

96(16.0)

10(21.7)107(68,

2) 15 (9.0)

27(4. 5)3(6.5)1(O,

6)3(1.8)

62<10. 3)

7(15. 2)21(13.4)

3 (1,8)

28(4, 7)2(4.3)1(O.

6)11(6.

6)

2S (3. 8) 7(15.

2)

4 (2,4)

52 (8.7) 6(13.

2) 26(16.6)113(68.

1)

8 <1.3)

1 (O,6)17(10.3)

600

as

157

166

and swarmmg clusters) occur

but thev have minor im-

(cf. Ta61e 2). one of the

pests in Europe, VesPula

common in Japan and is usu-

the mountainous areas.

preferred nest site of V. s. simil-

residential areas of Otaru is charac-

voids of bu,ildings, followed

3). This appears to reflect

are prcdominantly occupied

houses, which have many

in thc wall leadins. to the

other hand, in Kyoto, south-

nch also abounds with wood-

s, xanthoptera preferably and less frcquently in wall

no apparent reason for the

nesting sites of these subspecies

localities. But it is probable that

northern Japan, the wall voids are

for Li s. simillima colonies '

size is considerably smaller

subspecies xanthoPteTa in cen-

Japan, as mentioned earlier.

wall voids may be too small

la.rger co]onies of xanthoptera.

prefer rnorc spacious sites at

even if they use wall voids

nest site, they rnay move to sites after worker eclosion.

by thc Otaru Public Health Centre from 1974 through 1980 in the residential areas

)･ Sapporo and its neighbouring localities from 1969 through 1980 (V. s. simillima),

by the Kyoto Epidemic Prcvent Centre in 1978' (V. s. xanthoptera; after Ban, 1980a) .

xanthoPtera, after pt{atsuura, 1971,

- - -This may result in an increased proportionof nests found in such sites as in attics (seeLife hitor]), Of course, differences in build-ing architecture between the two cities must

also be taken into account,

2. Stings in residential areas.

Aithough vespines are not as ferocious as

popularly thought unless provoked, the most

important feature of them as pests is their

ability to sting.

Table 4 shows the relationship betweennest sites and the number of peeple stung

by V. s. simiUima in Otaru, based on dataobtainecl from a questionnaire distributed by

the Otaru Public Health Centre (Ban,1980a). A Iarge proportion were stung by

hornets nesting in wall voids or under the

fioors of houses. This is probably becausethese sites are often so accessible that the

residents would easily approach the nests or

disturb the hornets purposely or accidentally,

as well as beeause those places are the most

preferred nest site in the city. Nearly halfwere stung on the arms or hands as they

tried to slap or brush off the approaching

hornets (Ban, 1980a).

3. Control

In Otaru, requests by residents to the Pub-

lic Health Centre for nest destruction have

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Vol. 32 No.3 19Sl

Table 4 Relationship between people stung

in residential

areas

in 9taru- ..

and the typeof nesting sites of V, s. simillima

t t .7.r.r.

stung by hernets

211

Number

in wall

voids

(%) of people .nestmg

Year

1977*1978*1979*1980Total

under thc floor

.moratticscabin

109 (70.8)51 (81.0) 10 (45.5) 2I (63,6)191 (70.2)

under the in ether

eaves sites

Total

l8 (IL7>3 ( 4.8)

1(4,5>

o(o.o)

22 (8.1)

633214< S, 9)( 4. 8)(13.6)(

6. 1)(5,1)

2 (1,3)o (o.o)o (o.o)3 (9.1>5 (1.8)

19 (12.3) 6 ( 9,4)

8 (36.4) 7 (2r,2)40 (14.8)

154 (100)63 (100) 22 (100) 33 (100)272 (100>

* After Ban. 19SOa.

Tablc 5 Number of nests destroyed by months by the Otaru Public Health

s. similiitna) and the Kyoto Epidemic Prevent Centre (U. s. xanthoPtera) in

Ban, 1980a)

nests per month <%)

Centre (V.1977 (after

Number ofdestroyed

Jan.-May Jun. Jul.

0taru (1977) O O 16 (9) Kyoto (1977) 1 2 21 (14) (1) (1)

usually been in August and September, while

in Kyoto they have occurred from Junethrough November (Table 5J. Ban, 1980a).

Generally two control measures are prac-ticed: the prevention of nesting in domesticstructures, and destruction of already con-

structed nests. The former is important es-

pecially in Otaru, because a Iarge proportionof V. s. simillima nests are found in wall

voids of structures. Otaru Public Health

Centre advises residents to eliminate poten-tial nesting sites by covering knotholes or

slits in the wall boards with metal or wooden

pieces. This treatment, if performed exhaus-tively, will at least prevent spring queensfrom founding colonies in such places. How-

ever, so far there has been no obvious de-

crease in the number and proportion of nests

made in wall voids.

Otaru Public Health Centre destroyescolonies by using an oil emulsion of DDVP

(2,2-dichlorovinyldimethyl phosphate; O.39b)injected into the nest with the aid of an air

compressor. In most cases, dealing with nests

in wall voids, the chemical is injected via the

hornets' entrance hele in the wall, or issprayed directly on the nest after removing

TotalAug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec,

124 43 3 O O 186(67) (22) (2) ･

28 65 28 11 O l56<18) (41) (18) (7)

the wall boards. Then, if the nests are read-

ily accessible, they are removed. If, however, the wall is mortared and the outer wall

boards can not be easily removed, the nest is

left in the wall voids and the traMc hole in

the wall is plugged with polyurethane plas- tics. During the work the exterminators

wear a suit of protective clothes resembling

that designed by VV'agner and Reierson

(1975). It consists of a nylon overall, a mask

with a netted front window and a pair of

leather gloves (for details of the protective

clothes and their irnprovements, see Wagner

and Reierson, 1975; Yamane et al,, 1979;

Ban, 1980b). XN'hen nests are built in places not readily accessible, e,g., under the eaves

at heights 5-10m above the ground, they

are sometimes ieft untouched because of dif-

ficulty of the work, However, nearly 90%

of the requests by residents for nest destruc-

tion have been granted by the Public Health

Centre frorn 1976 onward,

CoNCLuDING REMARKs

In Japan, few studies of vespines as pests of humans have been rnade, due partly to



The JapanSociety ofMedical Entomology and Zoology

212

their relatively low population densities.However, the status of certain species, espe-

cially VesPa simillima, as a pest and stinging

hazard should not be minimized, at least incertain resiclential areas abounding with po-tential nesting sites, Further informatien isneeded on the biology (including nest sites,

reproductive output, and colony cycle) of

other vespines occurring in residential and

urban areas in order to design effective con-

trol strategies.

However, diMculties in population-wideabatement of social wasps have been recog-

nized in recent years (MacDonald et al.

1976; Edwards, 1980), Even the exhaustive

destruction of all located nests will not di-rectly lead to a decrease in wasp densities inthe following years (e.g, Fex-Wilson, 1946).

Although one of the most effective controls

is to destroy nests before the colonies produceworkers and reproductives (Spradbery, 1973),these nests are very diMcult to locate becauseof their small size, especially when con-

structed in such enclosed spaces as wall voids

of buildings. Presently, only troublesomenests can be destroyed as early as possible inorder to reduce local infestations. Becausethe social wasp problem in Japan is largelydue to their structural nesting habits, thisdestruction of nests may be suMciently effec-

tive to eliminate or, at least, alleviate the

problem. Finally, we wish to emphasize the necessityof obtaining accurate inforrnation on injuriescaused by vespine stings in Japan. This isessential to a better understanding of the

pest status of social wasps.

ACKNOWLEIX]EMENTS

We wish to express our hearty thanks to Prof.S. Takagi ol Hokkaido University and Mr. K.Ogawa of Otaru Public Health Centre for their

constant encouragements, and to Prof. R. D. Akreand Dr. H. C. Reed ef Washington State Univer-sity for their kindness in reading the manuscript

and giving many valuable comments,

REFERENCES

Akre, R. D, and H. G. Davis (1978): Biology and pest status of venomous wasps. Ann. Rev.

Entomol. 2S: 215-238.Ban, T. (1980a): Control of Social Wasps as a

Jap. J. Sanit. Zeol.

Public Service, 44pp., Otaru (in Japanese),Ban, T, (1980b): Injury by the Japanese hornet Vespa simiUima, and its control. Seikatsu to

Kankyo {Life and Ene,ironments), 25(11): 15-

22 (in Japanese),Edwards, R. (1980): Social Wasps. Their Biology

and Control, 398 pp,, Rentokil Libr,, East Grin- stead, England,

Fox-Wilson, G, (1946): Factors affecting popula-

tions of social wasps, VesPula species, in Eng-

land, Proc. R. Entomol, Soc. Lond,, 21: 17- 27.Ishikawa,

R. (1965): Vespidae. Jn Icon, Ins. Jap. Col. Nat. III, p. 293, pl. 147, fig, 4, Heku- ryukan, Tokyo.Kemper, H, and E. D6hring (1967): Die So-

zialen Faltenwespen Mitteleuropas, 180 pp., Paul Parey, Berlin.Kim, C.-W. (1970): Illustrated Encyclopedia of

Fauna and FIora of Korea, Vol, 11, Insecta (III), 891 pp. (in Korean).Kirn, C.-W. (1980): Distribution Atlas of Insects of Korea, Ser. 3, Hymenoptera & Diptera,

356 pp., Korean Univ. Press, Soeul.MacDonald, J. F. (1980): Bielegy, recognition,

medical importance and centrol oi Indiana so-

cial wasps. Purdue Univ. Coop. Serv. Publ. E-91: 1-24.

MacDonald, J. F., R. D. Akre and R. W. Mat- thews (1976): Evaluation of yellowjacket

abatement in the United States. Bull, Entomol. Soc. Am., 22: 397-tlOl.

Makino, S, and Sk, Yarnane (1980): Heat pro-

duetion by the foundress of Vespa similtima.

with description of its embryo nest (Hymeno- ptera: Vespidae). Jnsecta Matsumurana New

Ser. 12: 89-101.

Matsuura, M, (1970): Intraspecific invasion be- haviour of Vespa crabro flavofasciata Cameron

in early stage of nesting. Life Study. Fukui.

14: 21-26 (in Japanese).Matsuura, M. (1971): Nesting sites of the Japa- nese VesPa species. KontytAt. Tokyo, 39: 43-54

(in Japanese).Matsuura, M. (1974): Life history of hornets.

Shizen. 29(340): 62-71 (in Japanese>.Matsuura, M. <1976): Notes on the social wasps

arid bees in Wakaya:na Pref. Nankiseibutsu, 18: 5-11 (in Japanese).Matsuura, M. and S, F, Sakagami (1973): A bionomic sketch of the giant hornet, VesPa

mandarinin, a serious pest for Japanese apicul-

ture. 1. Fac. Sci, Hokkaido Univ., 19: 125- 162,Sonan,

J. (1935): On some wasps. Trans. Nat, Hist. Soc. Formosa. 25: 277-285 (in Japanese).Spradbery, J. P, (1973): Wasps. An Account of

the Biology and Natural History of Social and

Solitary Wasps, 408 pp., Sidgwick & Jackson, London.

NII-Electronic



The 　Japan 　Sooiety 　of 　Medioal 　Entomology 　and 　Zoology

Vol．32　 No ，3　 1981 213

Vecht ，　J．　 van 　der （1957）：　 The 　Vespinae 　 of 　the

　 Indo −Malayan 　and 　Papuan 　areas （Hymeneptera ：

　 Vespidae），　 Zoo乙　F6 漉．　 Rijksmus，　 Nat．　 Hist．，　 Leiden

，34 ：　1−83。

Vecht，　 J．　 van 　der　（1959）：　Notes　 on 　OrientalVespinae ，　 including　 some 　 species 　 from　 Chinaand 　Japan　（Hymelloptera ：　 Vespidae ）．　 Zoet．Meded ．∫百’ん5 厂怨 z‘∫．ム厂at ．　H ♂∬ ．

，1二eiden ，36 ：　205 −

232．Wagncr ，　R ，　E．　 and 　D ．　A ．　Relerson（1975＞： Cloth−

　ing　 for　 protection　 against 　 vemmous 　 Hymeno −

　 ptera．ノ．　 Econ ．　Entom ・ 1．．68 ： 126− 128．Yamane

，　Sk．（1974）：　 Observations n 　an 　 orphan

　 nest 　 of 　 VesPa　 simillima 　 Smith （Hymenoptera ：

　Vespidae ）．　 Kontyti，　 Tokyo， 42： 404415 ．Yamane

，　 Sk，　 and 　E ，　Kanda （1979）：　Notes 　on 　the

　h三bernation　 of 　 some 　 vespine 　 wasps 　 in　 northem

　 Japan （Hymcnoptera ： Vcspidae ）．κ o π な丑，

τo．

　 k｝・0 ，47 ：　44−47，Yalnane ，　 Sk，　 and 　S．　 Makino 　（1977）：　 Bionomics

　 of 　Vesカa 　analis 　insularis　and 　1！．　mandarinia

　 latilineata三n 　Hokkaido，　 northern 　 Japan，　 with

　 notes 　 on 　 vesp 三ne 　 embryQ 　 nests （Hymenoptera ：

　 Vespldae）．　 In∫ecta 　MatSUirzurana　rvTelV　Ser．，12：

　 1＿33．

Yamane ，　 Sk，，　 S．　 Makino，　 T ．　 Ban　 and 　 Y ．　 Sato　（1979）：　 Protective　 suits 　against 　hornets．　κ o η 一

　 ‘冫・£，TokJ・o，47 ：　429−430　（in　Japanese）．

　　　　　　摘　要

ケブカスズメバチレ’csPa 　sivtitli

・ma

　の都市部における営巣と被害

　ケブカスズメバチレ「esPa 　simillirna は本邦に産する

スズメバチ属 VesPa のうち最も普通な種である．本

種は都市部の家屋等にも多く営巣するので，近年不快

害虫として重要になりつっある．本種は s．similli・ma

（北海道）および ∫．xanthoPtera （本州・四国・九州）

の 2亜種を含む．前者の営巣期は 5H 下旬．・10月上旬

の約 4．5 か月であり，成熟巣の平均育室数は 1，821

，

同巣盤数 6．6 および同成虫数 315 である，亜種 xan

thoPtera の巣規模はこれよりかな b大きいが，これ

は営巣期がより長い（約 6 か月〉ためと思われる．小樽市の都市部で最も多い営巣場所は木造家屋の壁問（亜

種 sirriilliina の駆除数 600のうち約 50％）であり，一

方京都市では屋根裏内（亜種 xanth ・Ptera 駆除数約150 の 70％〉であった．小樽 1i∫では本種による刺傷被

害者のうち 70％は壁問に営巣したハチによるもので

あった．駆除方法として，小樽市保健所が実施してい

るものをあげた．

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