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Background
Arrival in Australia
Description & Distribution
Names & Taxonomy
Misidentification
Distribution & Dispersal
Biology & Behaviour
Life Cycle
Nest Cycle
Nest activity overseas
Biosecurity Threats & Management & Control
Impacts to Industry / environment /human interactions
Wasp Management & Control
References
Appendixes
Figure 16: European wasps nest entry Photo Courtesy B Ryan
Biosecurity Threats to Australia
Why is it a threat to Australia?
European Wasps are
successful social insects as they have adapted to new habitats across the world
(
Moller, 1996
,
Matthews et al., 2000
)
.
T
hey are considered to be a
serious pest
in Australia of their abundance and populations are widespread
(
Spradbery and Maywald, 1992
,
Lefoe et al., 2001
)
.
The impacts of invading social insects on the environment and economics are substantial
(
Goodisman et al., 2001a
,
Matthews et al., 2000
,
Lefoe et al., 2001
)
.
In
urban
areas,
European wasps interfere with outdoor activities
(
Sackmann et al., 2001
)
.
It is expensive for government departments and councils to control wasps and treat nest by to treat nests
(
Crosland, 1991
,
Lefoe et al., 2001
)
.