Researchers have discovered that the wasp Vespa orientalis can survive for several weeks while consuming sugar solutions with ethanol concentrations as high as 80%, a phenomenon never observed in any other animal species.
The research findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on October 21.
“To our knowledge, no other animal can withstand ethanol like this under continuous consumption conditions,” said zoologist Eran Levin from Tel Aviv University.
Vespa orientalis Wasp. (Source: AFP).
Sugar gliders are the best-known mammals for their ability to consume alcohol among studied species. They can feed on nectar from palm flowers, which contains a small amount of naturally occurring ethanol. This nectar can contain up to 3.8% ethanol.
However, in laboratory settings, when sugar gliders were given 10% ethanol for two weeks, they exhibited signs of liver damage.
The capabilities of V. orientalis come as a surprise. Adult wasps frequently encounter alcohol in nectar from fermenting plants or fruits.
In the study, groups of wasps were fed ethanol at concentrations eight times higher than what could be lethal to sugar gliders.
Remarkably, these wasps lived as long as those that did not consume alcohol. They continued to build their nests neatly and accurately, and did not become more aggressive when researchers simulated disturbances.
Physiological tests in the laboratory indicated that wasps metabolize ethanol extremely quickly. This rapid detoxification ability may be due to the presence of abundant fermenting yeasts in the wasp’s gut, providing an ideal environment for yeast proliferation.
Thus, it can be said that yeast has helped wasps become experts in alcohol detoxification. The transmission of yeast from their guts to grapes could contribute to creating a unique “terroir”, imparting distinctive flavors to wines from different regions.
Lead author Sofia Bouchebti, a behavioral ecologist, hopes to continue researching this fascinating species, particularly to investigate whether ethanol alters the social interactions of wasps or the frequency of larval care. Additionally, “I am very interested in studying the behavior of queen wasps when consuming alcohol,” she concluded.
