German Wasp

Description:

Adults about 20mm long, and easily identified by the yellow and black abdomen.This wasp is very similar in appearance to the common wasp, and both have the characteristic black and yellow colouration but the German wasp has black dots along its body. The german wasp was first detected in New Zealand in 1922 and became widespread by 1944.

Habitat:

Lives in nest built in the ground, in trees or in houses. German wasp nests are grey and may be several metres in length. (Common wasp nests are brown.)

Notes:

Pi Waikato is the Maori name They named it after the striped colours of the Waikato rugby jersey. It feeds on meat,many other insects,sweet foods and competes with native birds for nectar, fruit and honey dew. It can sting