Kōrero: Wasps and bees

German wasp and common wasp

German wasp and common wasp

These two species were accidentally introduced to New Zealand. Both are yellow with black markings. The German wasp (left) has black bands with separate black dots, whereas the common wasp (right) has broader black bands that merge with dots. Queens are larger than workers, but have similar markings. Both have painful stings, but common wasps are much more aggressive than German wasps. They eat high-sugar foods, and for protein they prey on invertebrates and even young chicks.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: n0082smp.tif (left); DSCG9230Smd.jpg (right)
Photographs by Peter E. Smith

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

John Early, 'Wasps and bees - Stinging wasps', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/11150/german-wasp-and-common-wasp (accessed 30 March 2024)

He kōrero nā John Early, i tāngia i te 24 Sep 2007