Vespula germanica (European wasp)
European wasps are aggressive hunters of insects and spiders, which they feed to their larvae. The adults themselves eat pollen, nectar, other carbohydrates and secretions produced by their young. This wasp out-competes native species for food resources as well as virtually depleting an area of its insect and spider fauna. Vespula germanica also has a large negative impact on human receation activities. Recent records for the wasp have appeared from New Chums Road and Nursery Swamp - we would like to know just how widespread it is in Namadgi - so please report any sightings from there.
The ACT Government treats European wasp nests on ACT Government land. If a wasp nest is on your property, it is your responsibility to have it removed by a qualified pest control operator. People should not attempt to treat the nest themselves as they risk being stung.
"A typical European wasp nest is started in the spring by a single queen emerging from hibernation. She raises the first worker wasps herself, which then help her raise more workers, and so the nest grows through the summer. Come the autumn most workers die out while the newly born queens search for a warm, dark place to hibernate." (Dr Reeson, Adelaide University)
For more information about European Wasps and to report a nest on ACT Government Land please visit:
https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/pets-and-wildlife/wildlife/pest-insects/wasps
Vespula germanica is listed in the following regions:
Canberra & Southern Tablelands | Albury, Wodonga | South Coast | Gippsland | Barwon South West | Tasmania
Species information
- Vespula germanica Scientific name
- European wasp Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Exotic
- Major weed or pest
- Up to 1366.2m Recorded at altitude
- Machine learning
- External link More information
Location information
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Maps
Ainslie volcanic grassland Albury ANBG ANU Dickson Precinct ANU Ellery Precinct Aranda Bushland Australian National University Bega River Bioblitz Belvoir Park Bimberi Nature Reserve Black Mountain Bluetts Block (402, 403, 12, 11) Boro Bournda Environment Education Centre Brindabella National Park Bullen Range Canberra City Farm City Renewal Authority Area Clyde Cameron Reserve Commonwealth & Kings Parks Cotter Reserve Cuumbeun Nature Reserve Denman Prospect 2 Estate Deferred Area (Block 12) Dryandra St Woodland Dunlop Grasslands Ewart Brothers Reserve Flea Bog Flat to Emu Creek Corridor Gibraltar Pines Googong Foreshore Haig Park Hall Cemetery Higgins Woodland Hughes Garran Woodland Hughes Grassy Woodland Illilanga & Baroona Jerrabomberra Wetlands Kama Kambah Pool Kosciuszko National Park Lake Ginninderra Lions Youth Haven - Westwood Farm A.C.T. Lower Cotter Catchment Magpie Hill Park, Lyneham Mcleods Creek Res (Gundaroo) Mimosa Rocks National Park Molonglo River Reserve Mongarlowe River Mount Ainslie Mount Ainslie to Black Mountain Mount Painter Mount Taylor Mt Holland Nail Can Hill Namadgi National Park National Arboretum Forests National Zoo and Aquarium Old Naas TSR Point Hut Pond Point Hut to Tharwa Red Hill Nature Reserve Red Hill to Yarralumla Creek Rob Roy Range Rugosa Sth Tablelands Ecosystem Park Stranger Pond Sullivans Creek, Acton Sullivans Creek, Turner The Pinnacle Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Tuggeranong Hill Umbagong District Park Watson Green Space WendyM's farm at Freshwater Ck. West Belconnen Pond Wodonga Wodonga Regional Park Woodstock Nature Reserve WREN Reserves -
Survey points
Pambula Preschool Point 80 -
Places
Bonner, ACT Drouin, VIC Freshwater Creek, VIC Glenroy, NSW Greenleigh, NSW Michelago, NSW Monash, ACT Wodonga, VIC
