The effects of dietary proline, β-alanine, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the nest construction behavior in the Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis)

Abstract

Adult wasps primary food resource is larval saliva. This liquid secretion consists mainly of amino acids and carbohydrates processed from the prey brought to the colony by the foragers. However, adults also regularly consume floral nectar. The nectar's most abundant proteinogenic amino acid is proline, and the two most abundant non-proteinogenic amino acids are β-alanine and GABA. These three amino acids are also common in larval saliva. Here, we study the effect of these dietary amino acids on the physiology and nest construction behavior of the Oriental hornet. Our results reveal their deleterious effects, especially at high concentrations: β-alanine and GABA consumption reduced the hornets' lifespan and completely inhibited their construction behavior; while proline induced a similar but more moderate effect. At low concentrations, these amino acids had no effect on hornet survival but did slow down the nest construction process. Using carbon isotopically labeled amino acids, we show that, unlike proline, β-alanine is stored in most body tissues (brain, muscles, and fat body), suggesting that it is rapidly metabolized after consumption. Our findings demonstrate how a single amino acid can impact the fitness of a nectarivore insect.