The impact of common and German wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) on the New Zealand beekeeping industry

Self Cite

Nests of both common (Vespulavulgaris)and Gennan wasps (V. germanica) sometimes overwinter in New Zealand. Three overwintering common wasp colonies were found in low-altitude honeydew beech forest; about 2% of the colonies initiated there in 1988 survived the winter. Wasp traffic rates from nests in Nelson city and a nationwide survey of wasp abundance, showed that more German wasp than common wasp workers were on the wing in winter and spring. Gennan wasp colonies in Nelson city were more likely to overwinter than were common wasp colonies. Of the active German wasp colonies recorded in Nelson in January and February 1989, only two (4%) had previously overwintered, but these two nests accounted for 38% of all Gennan wasp workers estimated to leave nests in the area. Had other overwintering colonies not been poisoned, overwintering colonies might have accounted for up to 11 % of nests and produced up to 64% ofGennan wasp workers on the wing in January and February 1989.Overwintering common wasp colonies did not produce queens or drones in their first year or second spring, but all 10 overwintering German wasp colonies examined produced sexuals at both times. German wasp queens produced in winter and spring may influence the number of colonies successfully initiated and affect the population dynamics of German wasps in New Zealand.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overwintering colonies of German (Vespula germanica) and common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in New Zealand

Plunkett¹,

Møller²,

Hamilton³

et al. 1989

Self Cite

“…For example, German wasps are less efficient than common wasps at collecting natural honeydew (Harris et al 1994), and therefore may be forced to scavenge more. Perhaps this is why beehives are robbed more frequently by German wasps than by common wasps (Clapperton et al 1989).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbohydrate bait preferences of wasps (Vespula vulgarisandV. germanica) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in New Zealand

Spurr

1996

Carbohydrates are both a source of food and a potential bait for control of common and German wasps. Carbohydrate preferences of wasps were determined in a series of paired trials by counting the number of wasps caught in traps baited with carbohydrate-based baits versus a standard proteinbased bait. Factors influencing wasp attraction to carbohydrate-based baits included bait type, season, weather, and location. A 30% sucrose solution was more attractive than honey, jams, gels, or dry (solid) sugars. The sucrose solution was more attractive in spring and autumn than in summer, probably because rainfall washed away natural carbohydrate supplies. There was a significant relationship between rainfall in the previous week and the proportion of wasps caught in traps baited with sucrose solution versus sardine cat-food. A higher proportion of German wasps than common wasps was caught in sucrose-baited traps. This may have been related to seasonal differences in abundance and/or behavioural differences between the two species. In some locations, more wasps were caught in traps baited with sucrose solution than in those baited with sardine cat-food. The proportion of wasps caught in sucrose-baited traps was higher in locations without beech scale honeydew than with beech scale honeydew. Proportionally more non-target species (mainly honey bees) and fewer wasps were caught in traps baited with sucrose solution than in those baited with sardine cat-food. All five bee repellents tested also repelled wasps. These results indicate the importance of determining the bait preferences of wasps (carbohydrate or protein) and the presence of non-target species before attempting a poison-baiting Received 12 September 1995; accepted 22 December 1995 operation. They also emphasise the need for a waspspecific carbohydrate-based bait.

“…has been present in New Zealand since 1945 (Thomas 1960), and the common wasp V. vulgaris (L.) probably first established around the Wellington area in the late 1970s (Donovan 1984). The mild climate, the abundance of food, and the absence of natural enemies have contributed to the establishment of large populations of both species, to the extent that they are now considered to be major pests in both unmodified (e.g., Beggs & Wilson 1991;Harris 1991) and modified environments (e.g., Clapperton et al 1989;Dymock et al 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and colour differences between subspecies ofSphecophaga vesparum(Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Berry

Harris

Read

et al. 1997

specimens of S. v. hurra, and scored 13 characters. Results showed that the two subspecies could not be reliably discriminated on any morphological characters, but that three colour characters gave >98% separation for females (not including the character originally used to define the subspecies), and seven colour characters gave 100% separation for males. A key for separating the subspecies is presented. A further strain from Israel was examined, and appeared to differ morphologically from the European and North American subspecies, but too few specimens were available for definitive conclusions.