Aggression between invasive hymenopterans in Southern California: scutellata-hybrids versus German yellowjackets

Honey bee defensive behaviors are crucial for countering new predators such as invasive German yellowjackets (Vespula germanica). We provide the first data on the ability of scutellata-hybrids (Africanized bees) to defend their colonies against V. germanica wasps, as compared to European honey bees. The scutellata-hybrid colonies recruited twice as many defender bees in defense, and killed yellowjackets three times more often than managed European honey bee colonies. The defensive ability of such hybrids against new threats is intriguing and suggests that more research should be conducted into how defensive traits in the wide variety of honey bee subspecies may help against threats such as invasive wasps and hornets.