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Aedes camptorhynchus |
| The southern saltmarsh mosquito readily attacks
humans and other animals, including birds. It will feed during
the day, at dusk and after sunset.
This mosquito was first recorded in New Zealand in December 1998,
when specimens were collected near Napier, in Hawke’s Bay.
They have since been found in other parts of the North Island, including
Gisborne, Mahia, Porongahau, Kaipara and Mangawhai.
In Australia, the southern saltmarsh mosquito is thought to be
the main carrier of the Ross River
virus. To date, no-one has caught the virus in New Zealand.
More information on mosquitoes
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Argentine ant
Linepithema humile |
| The Argentine ant is a highly invasive species that
has spread from South America to many countries around the world.
These ants have successfully established on six continents and many
islands. They reach new areas by hitching a ride with humans
or their goods (see Invasive species).
The Argentine ant has a wide dietary range and produces large numbers
of aggressive and industrious workers. They are one of a few
ant species worldwide that have been identified as capable of invading
native systems and displacing native species (e.g., in Hawaii, California,
South Africa). Because of this Argentine ants are listed in
the new database of 100 of the world's worst invasive species by
the Global
Invasive Species Group, IUCN.
The first report of Argentine ant in New Zealand was of a population
found in Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, in 1990. Currently, the
ant is widespread, but still very patchily distributed around Auckland
and has established at a number of other sites around New Zealand
from Northland to Canterbury.
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Red imported fire ant
Solenopsis invicta |
| These tiny but aggressive reddish-brown ants have
a painful sting. Their stinging ability allows them to subdue
prey and repel even larger competitors from resources (food, nesting
space).
The fire ant has a very distinctive nest. They often form
mounds of fine granular soil with an entrance to the side.
Mounds are highly variable in size, but in some cases can reach
nearly a metre in height and width. Size and shape depend
on soil type and vegetation. The red imported fire ant is
considered to be the worst ant pest in the world.
In early March this year, a gardener found a nest of the red imported
fire ant near Auckland Airport. This has since been destroyed
and a major search for further colonies initiated by MAF.
So far no more have been found. However, it is possibile that
some ants may have flown from the nest before it was found, and
may be preparing new nests.
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Asian Paper wasp
Polistes chinensis |
The Asian paper wasp invaded New Zealand in 1979
(no one is sure how), and by 1990 was widespread throughout the
upper North Island and present as far south as Nelson.
As with other invaders, paper wasps can have a negative effect
on our environment. They eat native invertebrates and compete
with other animals, such as insect eating birds, for this prey.
They also compete with animals, such as tuis and bellbirds, for
nectar and honeydew.
wasps are active from early spring to late summer. Each female
wasp is potentially a queen. The one female wasp that becomes
dominant assumes the role of queen and is cared for by the others.
The other wasps also search for food and care for the wasp larvae.
Paper wasp colonies are small. |
| Paper wasps use wood pulp to construct their nests. The nests are
not enclosed in a paper envelope. They collect the fibre by scraping
wooden structures with their mandibles (mouth parts). The wasp
then chews the wood and mixes it with saliva. This makes the wood
fibre extremely soft and moist. After a period of chewing, the wasp
adds the paste to the nest structure and spreads it out with her mandibles
and legs. After it thoroughly dries, a type of tough, durable paper
is formed. |
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| Asian paper wasps belong to the genus Polistes.
Polistes has a world-wide distribution, and in Europe and North
America its colonies outnumber all the other social wasps combined.
More information on wasps
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Scorpion |
| While unpacking a consignment of empty wine bottles
imported from Europe, an employee from Hawke's Bay saw a number
of 2-cm long animals moving in the packaging. When he tried
to brush one of them off the pallet, it turned and raised its tail
at him in a true scorpion-like defence pose. Although it has
not been confirmed, the description has convinced MAF that these
particular stowaways were indeed scorpions. The species of
scorpion could be one of eight types found in Europe, none of which
are particularly dangerous as far as scorpions go.
MAF staff searched the Hawke’s Bay site but no further scorpions
were found. They will continue surveillance around the sighting
area and develop techniques to deal with scorpions in case they
do arrive in New Zealand.
More information on scorpions
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Yellow Flower Wasp
Radumeris tasmaniensis |
| This is a solitary wasp from Australia and Papua
New Guinea. In February 2000, this Scoliid wasp was found
to be established in three isolated coastal localities in Northland.
As a parasite of scarab beetles, this unwanted import may be a threat
to native beetle species. Little is currently known about
it or its effects in New Zealand, so MAF and DOC are co-ordinating
an investigation to determine its distribution and hosts.
This wasp is not believed to sting humans. However, as when
handling any wasp species, care should be taken.
For more information on this species see:
www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/pests-diseases/animals/yellow-flower-wasp/index.htm
More information on wasps
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