Facts about wasps
German wasp
Social wasps live as colonies in nests of honeycomb-like cells.
Paper wasps
The Asian paper wasp and the Australian paper wasp build small nests, about the size of a pear. The Asian paper wasp has been found in the North Island and top of the South Island but the Australian paper wasp remains confined to the north of the North Island.
German and common wasps
The more widespread German and common wasps live in large colonies, about the size of a soccer ball, but which can become huge if they manage to survive over winter.
The German wasp was introduced with United States aeroplane parts in the 1940s and the common wasp arrived relatively recently but is now widespread. These two are very similar in appearance, and both have the characteristic black and yellow colouration.
German wasp nests are grey. Common wasp nests are brown.