Growth and survival of colonies of the Asian paper wasp, Polistes chinensis antennalis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), in New Zealand

Abstract

We monitored the fate of 80 colonies of the Asian paper wasp, Polistes chinensis antennalis Perez, in Whangarei from October 1989 to May 1994, and 54 colonies in Auckland from October 1992 to May 1995. Colony establishment and production of both females and males began 3–4 weeks earlier in Whangarei than in Auckland. No multiple founding or co‐founding was observed. Nest growth increased steeply throughout January and early February. Female wasp numbers peaked in late March or early April at both sites. Males were most numerous between mid March and early April. Numbers of wasps had declined on all the nests by early May. Nest mortality at the foundress stage was 28–81% in Whangarei and 68–83% in Auckland. Nest failure was caused by desertion, predation, and human disturbance. All colonies in Auckland which produced females also produced males, whereas in Whangarei 27% of surviving colonies produced only females. Overall colony survival was 25% in Whangarei and 22% in Auckland. Nests attached to sturdy structures were more likely to survive than those attached to flexible plant parts. Survival of P. c. antennalis colonies was lower in New Zealand than in Japan.