New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Comparative growth and seasonality of Vespula germanica
(F.) and Vespula vulgaris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
colonies in the Manawatu region of New Zealand
D. M. LEATHWICK*
AgResearch, Grasslands,
Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North,
New Zealand
email: LeathwickD@AgResearch.cri.nz
P. L. GODFREY+
R. A. FORDHAM
M. A. POTTER
Ecology Section,
Massey University,
Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North,
New Zealand
*Author for correspondence
+Present address: 21 Topaz Street, Upper Hutt
Abstract Data on the seasonality and growth of the German
wasp (Vespula germanica (F.)) collected before and after the
establishment, in the Manawatu, of the common wasp (V. vulgaris
(L.)) were compared to investigate possible antagonistic interactions
between the two species. Additional comparisons of seasonality and growth were
made between the two species and between habitat (rural versus urban) and
nest-site (ground versus building) categories within each species. There were
no detectable differences in colony growth rate or nest size parameters in
V. germanica before and after the arrival of V.
vulgaris. This indicates either that, in the Manawatu, the two species
do not compete, or that they do compete but without any measurable,
differential effect on colony growth. Comparison of the two species indicated
that both had similar rates of colony growth but V. vulgaris
colonies were larger in January and February, presumably due to earlier
initiation of nest building. V. germanica was first to begin
producing drones, while V. vulgaris began building queen cells
earlier. Urban V. germanica colonies were larger than those from
rural habitats, but there was no difference between colonies built in the
ground or in buildings. In contrast, V. vulgaris colonies in the
ground were larger than those in buildings, but urban and rural colonies did
not differ in size.
Keywords Vespula germanica; German wasp; Vespula
vulgaris; common wasp; seasonality; competition; colony growth
Z98020
Received 19 May 1998; accepted 27 August 1998
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (753K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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