# Investigating the Influence of Varied Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Wavelengths on Phototactic Behavior and Opsin Genes in Vespinae

## TL;DR

This study explores how different light wavelengths affect the light-seeking behavior and vision-related genes in wasps, revealing a complex relationship between light sensitivity and visual proteins.

## Contribution

The study identifies the opsin genes in Vespa basalis and reveals a mismatch between the presence of visual proteins and phototactic preferences for long-wavelength light.

## Key findings

- Vespula germanica and Vespa analis show varying photophilic rates under different light wavelengths.
- Vespa basalis has only two opsin genes (UV and blue) but shows peak phototaxis for long-wavelength light.
- Visual protein sequences are highly conserved among Hymenoptera, suggesting shared evolutionary traits.

## Abstract

This research aims to explore the phototactic behavior and key opsin genes associated with Vespinae. The results showed that the two species, Vespula germanica and Vespa analis, exhibited varying photophilic rates under different wavelengths of light, suggesting that light wavelength significantly affects their phototactic behavior. Additionally, the opsin genes of the most aggressive hornet, Vespa basalis, have been sequenced. There are only two opsin genes, one for UV light and the other for blue light, and Vespa basalis lacks long-wavelength visual proteins. However, they exhibit peak phototaxis for long-wavelength light and instead have the lowest phototropism for UV light. This suggests that the visual protein genes have a complex regulatory mechanism for phototactic behavior in Vespinae. Our findings provide a sound theoretical basis for further investigation of visual expression patterns and phototactic mechanisms in Vespinae.

The phototactic behavior of insects is commonly used to manage pest populations in practical production. However, this elusive behavior is not yet fully understood. Investigating whether the opsin genes play a crucial role in phototaxis is an intriguing topic. Vespinae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) are a common group of social wasps that are closely associated with human activities. Efficiently controlling wasp populations while maintaining ecological balance is a pressing global challenge that still has to be resolved. This research aims to explore the phototactic behavior and key opsin genes associated with Vespinae. We found significant differences in the photophilic rates of Vespula germanica and Vespa analis under 14 different light conditions, indicating that their phototactic behavior is rhythmic. The results also showed that the two species exhibited varying photophilic rates under different wavelengths of light, suggesting that light wavelength significantly affects their phototactic behavior. Additionally, the opsin genes of the most aggressive hornet, Vespa basalis, have been sequenced. There are only two opsin genes, one for UV light and the other for blue light, and Vespa basalis lacks long-wavelength visual proteins. However, they exhibit peak phototaxis for long-wavelength light and instead have the lowest phototaxis for UV light. This suggests that the visual protein genes have a complex regulatory mechanism for phototactic behavior in Vespinae. Additionally, visual protein sequences have a high degree of homology among Hymenoptera. Despite the hypotheses put forward by some scholars regarding phototaxis, a clear and complete explanation of insect phototaxis is still lacking to date. Our findings provide a strong theoretical basis for further investigation of visual expression patterns and phototactic mechanisms in Vespinae.