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Te katipō pepa o Āhia

Asian paper wasp nest

Polistes chinensis Fabricius
Paper wasp nest. Image: jacqui nz (CC BY-NC)

Paper wasp nest. Image: jacqui nz (CC BY-NC)

Pūtoi
Order
Hymenoptera
Whānau
Family
Vespidae
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Te Rahi

  • Kei te āhua 80 mm te whānui o tēnei nā
  • Tērā ka 200 mm te whānui

Size range

  • This one is about 80 mm across
  • Can be up to 200 mm across

Te Tītaringa

  • Kua kitea anō te katipō pepa o Āhia i Ōtākou.

Distribution

  • Accidentally introduced. Now found as far south as Otago

Te Huringa Ora

  • He pepeke āhua rahi, 12–15 mm te roa.
  • He pepeke wero.
  • He iti te kōhanga, he rite ki te hamarara te hanga, he kakau anō tōna, ka whakamaua atu ki te rākau, ki ngā hikuhiku rānei o te whare.
  • Ina rere, ka tāwēwē noa iho ana waewae o muri.
  • Kai ai i te anuhe, i te ngongo, i te waimiere, i te huarākau.

Life history

  • Medium sized insects, 12–15 mm long
  • Can sting
  • Nests are small, umbrella shaped, attached by a short stalk to tree or overhanging eaves of house
  • Flies with hind legs dangling
  • Eats caterpillars, nectar, honeydew and fruit

He pārongo atu anō

  • He kōrero atu anō

Further information

  • Identification of Asian paper wasps