Wasps be warned – there’s a new arrival in Golden Bay that may be about to eat into your presence in our environment.
Efforts to reduce the wasp population in Tasman have taken a significant step forward with the release of the Volucella inanis hoverfly at Wainui Bay earlier this month. It’s the culmination of many years of research and collaboration involving a number of people and organisations committed to controlling wasps and reducing their impact on native birds and insects.
Fittingly, some of those who have been instrumental in the work to date were present at the release in early May.
In February 2021, the Environmental Protection Authority approved our application to import and release two biocontrol agents, targeted at the invasive common (Vespula vulgaris) and German wasps (Vespula germanica).
Upon approval, Metoecus paradoxus (wasp nest beetle) and Volucella inanis (hoverfly) were imported to New Zealand from the UK – reared at Manaaki Whenua and then provided for release.
This application was submitted by us on behalf of the Vespula Biocontrol Action Group, with technical support from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research.
The partnership stretches back a number of years, with many meetings, emails and kilometres clocked between all parties in pursuit of the best fit of biocontrol agent.
More recently, the funding and support of The Nature Conservancy and Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance has enabled further progress on the plans.
Tasman District has more than its fair share of vespid wasps and we have been very keen to release the hoverfly as soon as it became available.