Social Wasps

Social wasps in New Zealand include both paper wasps in the genus Polistes and wasps in the genus Vespula. New Zealand has three introduced Polistes species: the Asian Paper Wasp (Polistes chinensis antennalis), the Tasmanian Paper Wasp (Polistes humilis), and the European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula). It also has two widespread introduced Vespula species: the German Wasp (Vespula germanica) and the Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris).

Polistes wasps usually build small open paper nests under leaves, branches, eaves, and other sheltered surfaces, while Vespula wasps form larger enclosed nests and can reach very high numbers in some habitats. Both groups are active predators of other insects and can affect native biodiversity, but Vespula wasps are especially significant pests in New Zealand, particularly in beech forests where they can become extremely abundant.

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