Nesting Ecology and Colony Survival of Two Invasive PolistesWasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in New Zealand

We examined the abundance, nesting ecology, and colony survival of two invasive species of paper wasp, Polistes dominulaChrist (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) and Polistes chinensis Perez (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), within their invaded range in New Zealand. The more recent invader, P dominula, exhibited a strong habitat preference, reaching the highest abundances within suburban areas with an average of 874 wasps per 1,000 m(2). Coastal habitats were also found to be suitable environments for P. dominula, although wasp abundance in these areas was comparatively lower than suburban sites at 26.5 wasps per 1,000 m(2). Although P. chinensis were observed to build more nests in coastal habitats, this was not reflected in the abundance of adult wasps in these areas. Nests of P. dominula were larger and more productive, likely a result of the multiple founding and earlier emergence of workers compared to P. chinensis. Both species exhibited significant differences in nest survival, with P dominula observed to have a higher colony survival rate, particularly in suburban habitats where this species utilized man-made substrates as nesting sites. Neither species nested within forest sites and translocated nests of P. dominula failed to thrive within forest habitats. Findings of this research suggest that P. dominula will not pose a threat to species inhabiting forested areas. Instead, biodiversity managers should focus their efforts on suburban and coastal environments as native species in these areas will require the greatest protection.

Automated summary

The invasive paper wasp species Polistes dominula prefers suburban and coastal environments, with higher abundance and colony survival rates compared to Polistes chinensis. P. dominula nests are larger and more productive, posing a potential threat to native species in these areas. Management efforts should focus on protecting native species in suburban and coastal environments.