Paper Wasps

The Asian, Australian and European Paper Wasps form much smaller colonies than the common or German wasps and the nest will have only a few tens of cells in an open type nest. The Paper Wasps are consequently less of a direct threat to people. However, they are a threat to native insect species such as Monarch Butterflies on which it feeds. Many people will wish to control the paper wasps to protect their Monarchs.

The paper wasps have a more obvious narrow waist than the German and common wasps and longer narrower bodies. The Australian paper wasp red brown to black while the Asian (Chinese) paper wasp has black/yellow stripes.

Note:

• Wasps and bees have a painful sting, to which some individuals are more susceptible than others; on rare occasions a sting can cause anaphylactic shock. For those not allergic to wasp or bee stings a sting on the throat or mouth can still be dangerous if the swelling blocks airways. On such occasions seek immediate medical advice immediately.
   
• Wasps or bees should not be tackled without a sound knowledge of the risks.
   
• Bees are generally beneficial insects producing honey and pollinating our crops and flowers. However, occasionally a swarm will set up home in an inappropriate place such as the eaves of your house. In this case we strongly recommend that you contact a local beekeeper (see the Apiculture New Zealand swarm collection contact list) who may try and collect the colony to use for honey production. Only if this is not possible should the colony be destroyed.
   
• If bees have been present for months or years at the nest site, there likely to be a honey store in the nest. Once the colony has been destroyed this honey must be removed or it will attract new swarms of bees or wasps.

YELLOW-LEGGED HORNETS

Yellow-legged hornets are a recently introduced invasive species that looks similar to wasps and pose a significant risk to New Zealand's bees. They need to be eradicated quickly. If you suspect you have a Yellow-Legged Hornets on your property please report it immediately online at  report.mpi.govt.nz.

Yellow-legged hornets have distinctive dark legs with bright yellow tips. In contrast, common wasp species in New Zealand, such as the German wasp (Vespula germanica), typically have uniformly yellow or yellow-striped legs. The yellow-legged hornet is also much larger than honey bees and common wasp species seen in New Zealand. Find out more about this invasive species on the Ministry of Primary Industries website.