German wasp
Vespula germanica (Fabricius)
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Size range
- Medium–sized insects, large queens up to 20 mm in length
Distribution
- Accidentally introduced
Life History
- Sting. Some people may be allergic
- Nest underground or in crevices in buildings
- Rasp wood fibres from the surface of timber to use in nest formation
- Feed on small insects, fruit, nectar and honeydew. Scavenge on dead fish
- A similar species, Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus), is also found in New Zealand
Further information
More information »Additional images
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Areas on timber rasped away by wasps
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Small wasp nest. Photo by Helen Chadwick
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Large nest showing structure Photo from Tui McMillan
