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In New Zealand, these wasps had no natural predators, few competitors, mild weather and an abundance of high-quality food.
By declaring war on our native species, the invaders flourished in their new home. New Zealand now has the highest densities of these wasps in the world. The wasps are drawn to the South Island beech forest by honeydew, a sugary drop excreted by scale insects that burrow into the bark of the beech tree. Honeydew is an important food source for native birds like tui and bellbirds, as well as some lizards and insects. However, each summer, vespula wasps consume about half of the beech honeydew, according to a study by the Department of Conservation.
When the wasps are done with the energy-rich honeydew, they turn their attention to insects. This not only impacts directly on insect populations, but it also removes another vital food source for birds. Wasps don’t discriminate on their source of protein. They have been known to attack, kill and eat fledging native birds and bats.
‘‘There’s nothing that they won’t eat in the environment up here,’’ says Friends of Rotoiti founding member Bryce Buckland. ‘‘They’ll eat everything — stick insects, baby birds— everything. They just clean everything right out. 100 per cent of insects won’t survive in a wasp environment.’’ Buckland, who has been involved with wasp control around Nelson Lakes National Park for about 16 years, compares the beech forest to a supermarket.
‘‘If you can imagine if you went to your local supermarket and someone’s pinched all the best food, that’s pretty much what’s happened with wasps. They’ve pinched all the best food and put nothing good back into the environment again.’’
HUMAN COST
The introduction of foreign wasps has also impacted on the ability of people to enjoy the outdoors in summer. Picnics, bush walks, and even chores around the home like gardening and lawn-mowing have turned nasty because of wasps.
If disturbed, German and common wasps can deliver a painful sting with an injection of venom that causes some people to have allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis. The symptoms range from pain, swelling and shortness of breath to death.
ECONOMIC COST
Beyond the direct effects on people’s health and wellbeing, wasps are also a drain on the economy, impacting on forestry, farming, bee-keeping, tourism, vineyards and more.
A Department of Conservation study, published in 2015, estimated that wasps cost New Zealand about $130 million a year.
WASP WIPEOUT
Despite the serious, widespread impacts of introduced wasps, the government declined to include them along with rats, mice, stoats and possums when it announced plans to make New Zealand predator free by 2050.
‘‘When people worry about rats and stoats and possums, wasps are actually, on my list, either number one or two around rats for the worst destruction of bird species— and those are the species we’re trying to save,’’ Buckland says.
This is why the Nelson Mail, Marlborough Express and Stuff are partnering with the Department of Conservation and local conservation groups on Wasp Wipeout.
Wasp Wipeout is supporting existing wasp control operations through crowdfunding to enable them to continue this summer and, in some cases, expand. People can also register their interest in the project, or take the DIY approach by doing their own wasp control operation in their community, street, or backyard.
The wasp control method that has been adopted by conservation groups and approved for public use is the protein-based bait, Vespex. Developed in Nelson by Richard Toft, managing director of Entecol, Vespex has been remarkably successful in wiping out wasps.
Trials in five locations across the South Island, including Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes national parks, in 2015 achieved between 95 and 100 per cent wasp eradication. DOC Nelson Lakes senior biodiversity ranger Nik Joice says Vespex is an ‘‘amazing tool’’ for wasp control .
‘‘When the wasp numbers get up high here the hum of the wasps in the trees, it’s all you hear.
‘‘We put the Vespex bait out We’re taking a three-pronged approach. You can donate money (go to https://popshop.stuff.co.nz/ campaigns/wasps) to support existing and newwasp control operations at various locations, including national parks and popular reserves. You can register your interest (go to https:/ /t.comms.stuff.co.nz/webApp/ PAPP1063) to learn more and potentially volunteer for specific projects. Or, you can DIY by doing your ownwasp control operation in your community, street or backyard by joining forces with family, friends and neighbours. All donations go to the Tasman Environment Trust, which will distribute the funds to continue existingwasp control operations in places like Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes national parks, and support newones around the country.
and the next day you go into the forest and you can hear the birds singing. It’s just amazing. It’s like a switch.’’
The key driver behind the project, Nelson regional editor Victoria Guild, says the goal of Wasp Wipeout is not eradication, but to create corridors around urban and popular conservation areas that are wasp-free.
‘‘It’s really crucial for a project like this that everybody’s on the same page at the same time working towards a common goal.
‘‘To be able to target one pest at one time and give it a really good, hard shot— that’s where we can make a difference."