Life History
Social wasps are one of the most complex animal societies known, workers forgoing their own reproduction to help raise the offspring of the reproductive queen.They build nests of honeycomb-like cells, and all members of the colony co-operate in the care of the young. Colonies probably have a specific odour that adults and even larvae can recognise. |
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Of the four species now established in New Zealand, both the Asian paper wasp and the Australian paper wasp build small nests, about the size of a pear. The much more widespread Vespulid wasps (German and common) live in larger colonies. Their nests are about the size of a soccer ball, but they can become much bigger if they survive over winter.
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Paper wasps |