Species
Polistes humilis
Threats Status
Unwanted Organism
Common Name(s)
Australian paper wasp, Tasmanian paper wasp
Family
Vespidae
Habitat
Australian paper wasp occur on shrubland, wetland and in urban areas.
Their nest is a delicate paper nests (similar to Asian paper wasp (Polistes chinensis antennalis) and attached by a short stalk to trees or man-made structures.
They feed on nectar and honeydew and prey on invertebrates.
Description
Australian paper wasps are smaller in size than the Asian paper wasp (Polistes chinensis antennalis) and can have a distinct black and reddish-brown coloration of their slender body. They have unusually long legs (that are hanging down when they are flying) and reddish to brown wings.
Similar Species
Asian paper wasp (Polistes chinensis antennalis), German wasp (Vespula germanica), common wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
Threat To Plants
Prey on invertebrates and competition with honeybees and native bird species nectar and honeydew which may have secondary effects on the vegetation due to changes in ecosystem processes.
Distribution
Restricted to upper north Island, one record from Manawatu
Measurements
Body: 12-15mm long
Year Introduced
1880s
Reason For Introduction
Accidentally
Colonisation History
First introduced to New Zealand in the 1880s