Gene flow across large distances in the cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia in a central European forest

Habitat connectivity and maintaining gene flow between populations is central for long term population persistence and is an essential element in conservation planning. However, data on dispersal ability and genetic population structure is lacking for almost all insect species. We here investigate if forest localities in the temperate, central European Black Forest are connected by gene flow. For this, we used partial genome sequencing on specimens of the solitary cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), a forest specialist that is primarily nesting in deadwood. We assumed that spatially uneven availability of standing deadwood has led to genetic sub structuring. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find signs of population structure either on a regional or an individual level. Hence, for this solitary wasp species, dispersal seems not to be restricted across the Black Forest study sites (approximately 90 km distance) and none of the investigated env..., , # Gene flow across large distances in the cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia in a central European forest

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.ns1rn8q4f](10.5061/dryad.ns1rn8q4f)

## Description of the data and file structure

This dataset is associated with Ruppert et al. 2025, Gene flow across large distances in the cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia in a central European forest. Evolution and Ecology.

In this study DNA was extracted from Specimens of *D. subintermedia, which* were collected using trap nests on 134 study plots in the black forest. After trap retrieval in autumn, all collected nests were placed in a cooling chamber at 4°C until February. After this simulated winter diapause, the specimens hatched and were preserved. The first live *Deuteragenia *sp.* *specimen of every *Deuteragenia *nest in every trap tube was collected directly into 100% ethanol and stored at -20°C. All specimens were catalogued for abundance data. Prior to DNA extraction the specim...,