Abstract:

Eumeninae is the most diverse among all subfamilies belonging to Vespidae, with about 3 800 species in 204 genera described, wide geographical distribution, and great nesting strategy variety. Eumeninae are great valuable for studies concerning the evolution of eusociality, since their behavior ranges from the vast majority of solitary to very few primitively social. Nesting during the breeding period is an important stage for the life history of potter wasps, and also an important guarantee for the reproductive success of their offspring. Based on the nesting habits, traditionally, Eumeninae may be classified into three types: excavators, renters and builders. However, nesting plasticity may be observed even among conspecific females. Regardless of the nesting type, mud is typically used by Eumeninae for nest construction, but some species use chewed leaves or fine gravel, and a few species even camouflage their nests with plant material or bird droppings. Food supply represents the largest investment (in terms of time and energy) that a female wasp makes in her lifetime. Most solitary Eumeninae wasps are truncated progressive provisioners (provision cells with paralyzed insect prey as food for larvae), however, some wasps show primitive signs of social behaviour (presocial), which practices progressive provisioning, especially when there is scarcity of prey. Eumeninae mostly prey on larvae of Lepidoptera (Geometridae and Tortricidae) and Coleoptera (Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae), thus they have an important role in biological control of lepidopterous and coleopterous pests of agricultural importance. Despite Eumeninae importance, their nesting biology remains poorly known, and even less has been studied inChina. Therefore, in this article, we reviewed the research status of the nesting biology of Eumeninae and made suggestions of future research in the following three areas: (1) Research on the nesting biology of dominant Eumeninae species in different regions; (2) Study on the relationship of food web between plants, phytophagous pests, potter wasps and their natural enemy insects, thus revealing the important functions of Eumeninae species in agriculture and natural ecosystems; and (3) Research on the application of dominant Eumeninae species in the biological control of pests.

Key words: Eumeninae')">

Eumeninae, nest type, nest structure, prey, natural enemies