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VIOut of 2–3,000 species of wasps and bees in NZ, only five invasive species cause most of the trouble.
And they’re very good at it.
Most of the wasps in Aotearoa are native, solitary, and harmless. Many resemble ants more than the bright black and yellow wasps most are familiar with. They also don’t create paper nests- If you ever see a bright black and yellow wasp or a wasp nest, know that this is an introduced species.
Because they face few predators and milder winters here, their populations can explode. New Zealand now has some of the highest densities of social wasps in the world. These invasive wasps compete directly with native birds for nectar and insects, can decimate native insect populations, and have even been known to attack chicks.
If you're in a public space or a park, report it to your local council. If you're at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne or a different ecosanctuary, tell the staff! If the wasps are on your property, we recommend contacting pest experts instead.
Videos/Photos by:
iNaturalist
Georgia Stewart
Scott Langdale
DOC
Eeva-Katri Kumpala
@visit_zealandia
