Spatial resolution and optical sensitivity in the compound eyes of two common European wasps, Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris
Gutiérrez, Daniel LU ; Rigosi, Elisa LU ; Nagloo, Nicolas LU ; O’Carroll, David LU and Warrant, Eric J. LU
(2024)
In Journal of Experimental Biology
227(16).
- Abstract
Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris are two common European wasps that have ecological and economic importance as a result of their artificial introduction into many different countries and environments. Their success has undoubtedly been aided by their capacity for visually guided hunting, foraging, learning and using visual cues in the context of homing and navigation. However, the visual systems of V. germanica and V. vulgaris have not received any deep attention. We used electrophysiology, together with optical and anatomical techniques, to measure the spatial resolution and optical sensitivity of the compound eyes of both species. We found that both wasps have high anatomical spatial resolution with narrow interommatidial angles... (More)
Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris are two common European wasps that have ecological and economic importance as a result of their artificial introduction into many different countries and environments. Their success has undoubtedly been aided by their capacity for visually guided hunting, foraging, learning and using visual cues in the context of homing and navigation. However, the visual systems of V. germanica and V. vulgaris have not received any deep attention. We used electrophysiology, together with optical and anatomical techniques, to measure the spatial resolution and optical sensitivity of the compound eyes of both species. We found that both wasps have high anatomical spatial resolution with narrow interommatidial angles (Δϕ between 1.0 and 1.5 deg) and a distinct acute zone in the fronto-ventral part of the eye. These narrow interommatidial angles are matched to photoreceptors having narrow angular sensitivities (acute zone acceptance angles Δρ below 1.3 deg), indicating eyes of high spatial resolution that are well suited to their ecological needs. Additionally, we found that both species possess an optical sensitivity that is typical of other day-flying hymenopterans.
(Less)
- author
- Gutiérrez, Daniel
LU
; Rigosi, Elisa
LU
; Nagloo, Nicolas
LU
; O’Carroll, David
LU
and Warrant, Eric J.
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-08
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Insect vision, Interommatidial angle, Social hymenopteran, Visual acuity, Visual cues, Visual field
- in
- Journal of Experimental Biology
- volume
- 227
- issue
- 16
- article number
- jeb246670
- publisher
- The Company of Biologists Ltd
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:39058380
- scopus:85202085955
- ISSN
- 0022-0949
- DOI
- 10.1242/jeb.246670
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- e9a77357-2f03-44dc-ad11-924139894a14
- date added to LUP
- 2024-10-28 14:57:10
- date last changed
- 2025-07-08 13:08:51
@article{e9a77357-2f03-44dc-ad11-924139894a14,
abstract = {{<p>Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris are two common European wasps that have ecological and economic importance as a result of their artificial introduction into many different countries and environments. Their success has undoubtedly been aided by their capacity for visually guided hunting, foraging, learning and using visual cues in the context of homing and navigation. However, the visual systems of V. germanica and V. vulgaris have not received any deep attention. We used electrophysiology, together with optical and anatomical techniques, to measure the spatial resolution and optical sensitivity of the compound eyes of both species. We found that both wasps have high anatomical spatial resolution with narrow interommatidial angles (Δϕ between 1.0 and 1.5 deg) and a distinct acute zone in the fronto-ventral part of the eye. These narrow interommatidial angles are matched to photoreceptors having narrow angular sensitivities (acute zone acceptance angles Δρ below 1.3 deg), indicating eyes of high spatial resolution that are well suited to their ecological needs. Additionally, we found that both species possess an optical sensitivity that is typical of other day-flying hymenopterans.</p>}},
author = {{Gutiérrez, Daniel and Rigosi, Elisa and Nagloo, Nicolas and O’Carroll, David and Warrant, Eric J.}},
issn = {{0022-0949}},
keywords = {{Insect vision; Interommatidial angle; Social hymenopteran; Visual acuity; Visual cues; Visual field}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{16}},
publisher = {{The Company of Biologists Ltd}},
series = {{Journal of Experimental Biology}},
title = {{Spatial resolution and optical sensitivity in the compound eyes of two common European wasps, Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.246670}},
doi = {{10.1242/jeb.246670}},
volume = {{227}},
year = {{2024}},
}