 German wasp |
German waspVespula germanica (Fabricius)
Order :
Hymenoptera
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BackSize range:
- Medium–sized insects, large queens up to 20 mm in length
Distribution:
- Accidentally introduced
Life History:
- Sting. Some people may be allergic
- Nest underground or in crevices in buildings
- Rasp wood fibres from the surface of timber to use in nest formation
- Feed on small insects, fruit, nectar and honeydew. Scavenge on dead fish
- A similar species, Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus), is also found in New Zealand
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| Areas on timber rasped away by wasps | Small wasp nest. Photo by Helen Chadwick |
Further Information:
More information>>
What is this bug? A guide to common invertebrates of New Zealand.
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/invertid/
English version: Clunie, L. 2004 and updates. Māori version: Clunie, L. and Jacob, H. 2008.
