Wasps wanted

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 20, 13 October 1987, Page 1

Wasps wanted

Scientists at the DSIR are Iooking for a wasp disease which will attack New Zealand's 'exploding* wasp population. This 'wasp-pox' is likely to be a virus or bacterium isolated from the wasp itself, says Dr Peter Wigley, of the DSIR's Entomology Division. 'We are primarily aiming to kill queen wasps. Overseas it's been shown that this is an important factor in regulating wasp population.' The disease would sterilise or kill only wasps, he says. It could be put in baits

which would then be carried back to infect the nest. The scientists would like the public to send the wasps urgently. It is important to catch the new queens before they 'go underground' and start their nests, Dr Wigley says. Dead wasps should be placed in a crush-proof container and sent to DSIR, Private Bag, Nelson as soon as possible. Please attach name, address, date of capture and whether the wasp was in an urban, rural or bush area. Wasp contributors will receive information back on their wasps but are warned not to collect if they are allergic. Scientists have been concerned about the effect wasps may be having on conservation, tourism and the honey industry especially since a new species was discovered recently.