Study on diets of four major hornets in Yunnan Province: A case study of Daxueshan Scenic Area in Lincang, Yunnan Province

To explore the dietary composition and ecological roles and functions of vespine wasps.

We collected fecal samples from four major wild hornet species. Sampling was conducted in the Daxueshan Scenic Area, Lincang, Yunnan Province, during July and August 2023. Metabarcoding of fecal DNA was performed to characterize their diets, thereby determining the dietary differences among the four hornet species.

The study successfully yielded a total of 3010385 valid sequences, which were clustered into 1715 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These OTUs were assigned to 7 phyla, 15 classes, 45 orders, and 131 families. Metazoa constituted the primary dietary component, with Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera being the most abundant prey taxa. Although prey composition varied significantly among the four species, several prey items were shared.

Using the Daxueshan Scenic Area survey site in Lincang as a case study, our results reveal interspecific variation in prey composition and dietary diversity of four major hornet species in Yunnan Province, providing a theoretical foundation and scientific basis for the resource utilization, development, and scientific artificial breeding of hornets.