Distribution of Social Wasps in New Zealand
Four introduced social wasp species have become established in New Zealand. The earliest to arrive here was the Australian paper wasp (Polistes humilis), which was abundant in Northland in the 1880s. German wasps (Vespula germanica) arrived at the end of World War II and they had spread to the South Island 10 years later. Common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) became established in the 1970s. The most recent arrival is the Asian paper wasp (Polistes chinensis), which was first found near Auckland in 1979. The common and German wasp are widespread throughout New Zealand, but the Asian paper wasp is still extending its range. The Australian paper wasp only occurs in the north.
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The following scientific papers have more information:
Beggs, J.R. 1991: Altitudinal variation in abundance of common wasps (Vespula vulgaris). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 18: 155–158.
Clapperton, B.K., Moller, H., Sandlant, G. 1989: Distribution of social wasps (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) in New Zealand in 1987. New Zealand journal of zoology 16: 315–323.
Clapperton, B.K., Tilley, J.A.V., Beggs, J.R., Moller, H. 1994: Changes in the distribution and proportions of Vespula vulgaris (L.) and Vespula germanica (Fab.) (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) between 1987 and 1990 in New Zealand. New Zealand journal of zoology 21: 295–303.
Clapperton, B.K., Tilley, J.A.V., Pierce, R.J. 1996: Distribution and abundance of Asian paper wasps Polistes chinensis antennalis Perez and Australian paper wasps P.humilis (Fab.) (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) in various habitats in New Zealand. New Zealand journal of zoology 23: 19–25.
Fordham, R.A. 1991: Vespulid wasps at the upper forest margin in Tongariro National Park - a threat to the native biota? New Zealand Journal of Zoology 18: 151–153.