Vespidae (Hymenoptera: Insecta) on forest edges in the European part of Russia

Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny», 430005 Saransk, Russia

¹ Corresponding author: ruchin.alexander@gmail.com

Abstract

The vertical distribution, species richness, and abundance of Vespidae on forest edges in the temperate zone of central European Russia were studied. Forest edges are hotspots of insect diversity and abundance. Research was conducted using beer traps in two plots at two heights (1.5 and 7.5 m). The overall abundance of seven Vespidae species was higher on the forest edges compared to within the forests. Vespa crabro was the dominant species in this family, with the highest abundance recorded at the edges. However, there was no difference in its abundance between the two heights at the edges. Inside the forest, Vespa crabro showed the highest abundance in the upper traps. The abundance of Dolichovespula media and Polistes nimpha was higher at lower heights on the edges, and their abundance on edges exceeded that within the forest. In contrast, the abundance of Vespula vulgaris did not differ significantly between the forest edges and the forest interior.