If you go outdoors in the summer you’ll know about pest wasps. New Zealanders care deeply about protecting monarch butterflies and know the numbers of monarchs are being affected by these wasps. But what about other native wildlife? Over the summer of 2024-5 many people shared concerns about the damage these wasps are causing.
Brad Windust from Bay Bush Action Trust shared this video showing wasps attacking a wētā. Another video, thanks to Greg Coulter, shows a stick insect under attack.
How many other species are being affected?
The survey has been created for individuals as well as restoration groups. Responses will help us understand how pest wasps are affecting different aspects of our biodiversity and guide our planning and education efforts. Feel free to complete the survey on behalf of a conservation/restoration group you represent as well as for an individual garden/habitat.
We want to know:
- Can people tell pest wasps from harmless ones?
- Are people aware of the damage wasps cause?
- What control methods are being used – in gardens and larger conservation sites?
Click on the link below (in red) for the survey
Wasp Survey
Please also share the survey with your friends, whanau, colleagues and other groups.
