Wasps

[Robert]

Hi,

I see the Paper wasps have discovered my Caterpillars. Paper wasps (see picture below) are habitual predators, so once they find a source of food, they will keep coming back. So the best thing to do is to knock them out (carefully missing the plants, etc) & then squat them. The down side being that after a week or so, a new wasp will discover the caterpillars.

Environment Waikato also has a fairly basic ID guide for other types of Wasps, this can be found at;
www.ew.govt.nz/Environmental-information/Plant-and-animal-pests/Animal-pests/Wasps/

Robert.

[Yvonne Wallis]

Is it worth setting up a trap for this unpleasant fellow? Thought perhaps honey water in fly trap type ddevise with opening big enough for wasp but not butterflies.

[Robert]

Hi Yvonne,

I have heard of many types of trap of which most have limited sucess. I find a good whack with a rolled up paper works best on the Paper wasps as they don't go into attack mode like the social wasps (Common & German). I know of a couple people using electric 'fly' racquets sucessfully. I tryed a honey & meat mixture last year, but only got a few Flies.

Also check for Wasp nests around your property or nearby areas you can get access too & remove any found. As none of the Yellow & Black Wasps are native I don't have any worries about distroying them.

Robert.

[Robert]

Hi,

I was having a chat to someone tonight who had being told to plant Cabbages with her Swan Plants. This was to use the White Butterfly caterpillars as decoys from the Monarch caterpillars.

It will be interesting if this really works or just leads to an increase in Wasps as there is more food available for them.

Robert.

[Yvonne Wallis]

Yes, I would be very hesitant about the latter. don't know if the wasp would be that selective " Imm, I much prefer the taste of white caterpillar, monarch caterpilliar just leaves a funny taste in my mouth." ha ha

[Robert]

Hi,

Today I saw a wasp (Common I think) try to attack a Rauparaha's Copper while both where flying. The Butterfly soon had enough & mase a super fast get-away with a strong direct flight (which is rare to see Copper's using.

It's a first for me as I have only seen (Black & Yellow) Wasps go for eggs & mainly larvae.

Robert.

[Yvonne Wallis]

These wasps are really becoming a problem! I have been trying to get some info on the monarch butterfly site too as they are mentioning the tiny black wasps that are suppose to be good at cleaning up the aphids. I am a bit concerned they might be the same that lay eggs in the yellow and red admiral crysallise. Do you know of the good and bad wasps? Do you know of wasps that are COMPLETELY safe with the caterpillars/eggs/crysallise, as I know there diets change and don't want to intruduce a wasp to get rid of aphids and find it also has a liking for my caterpillars/eggs/crysallise ??
Regards,
Yvonne

[Robert]

Hi Yvonne,

Yes, Wasps can be a real nuisance. There are reports of an apparent increase this autumn too, personally I think they have had a good season.

They are referring to 2 different types of Wasps as far as I know. There is over 100 native species of parasitic wasp in NZ, most of them are very small (under 3 mm) & black. The parasitic wasp that attacks fresh butterfly pupae is Pteromalus Puparum, which was released here to control the White Butterfly.

Determining a good wasp from a bad wasp is always subjective depending on whether they are removing pests from your 'crop' or taking your 'crop'.

There has being mention of several aphid attacking wasps (amongst others) on the Monarch forum, but they are seldom named. Quite often I have no idea of what is really being mentioned as most are referred to as a 'small black wasp' or 'small fly'.

Anyway these things all get added to my list of things to research & add to this website. You'll be pleased to hear that parasites are nearing the top of that list.

Also of note is that Ladybirds (red with black spots species) are in very high numbers presently, however they seem localised, as it's not the case in Akl! So they'll help with aphid control.

Robert.

[Yvonne Wallis]

Hi Robert,
As the parasitic wasp that attacks the admiral crysallise is also like a sandfly size it makes it hard to know which is good and bad - looking forward to the research when you've done it. Another thing too - i heard that the ladybirds can also attack the caterpillars/eggs ?? Do you know if this is correct?
Regards,
Yvonne

[Robert]

I've never had trouble with any type of ladybird attacking Monarch caterpillars. Never tried them with Admiral caterpillars intentionally yet, but wouldn't expect any issues.

I suspect the Ants take more eggs at my place.

[Yvonne Wallis]

That would be excellent then. I don't know who told me about the ladybirds but I have been keeping them away from the plants since. I like ladybirds too and would make a welcome addition to my dream butterfly house although I suppose it is catch 22 as I would need the aphids for the ladybirds but would be trying to keep it aphid free. Might be a good addition if aphids do get in there.
Regards,
Yvonne

[Yvonne Wallis]

Just had a quick look on the net to see if the ladybird was a threst to other butterly eggs. the harlequin one is but I don't know if we get that here. Couldn't see anything specific with the local ladybirds - just said a wide amount of insects but mainly aphids. Will have to have a more thorough search when i get a moment - of course I will only be able to find the information if someone has observed and taken note of it.
Yvonne

[Robert]

Hi Yvonne,

Yes, the Harlequin one has a wider range of diet, but I don't remember hearing of it's presence in NZ. Maybe I'm wrong through, like most NZ insects, ther is little easy, if any, reading published about them.

Chances are, you'll end up using Ladybirds in the B/fly house.

Robert.

[Robert]

More on the Harlequin Ladybird from
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/insecticide-an-ecological-disaster-that-will-affect-us-all-1019520.html

Britain's 46 species of ladybirds may now be widely at risk from an Asian invader, the harlequin ladybird, which arrived in Britain in 2004, and not only outcompetes other ladybirds for food, but eats them directly.

I have no idea if this ladybird has made it to NZ yet, but hopefully not.