Asian (or Chinese) Paper Wasp
Polistes chinensis
Appearance
- Yellow and black with tan coloured legs.
Lifecycle
- Stage 1 - Pre-emergence phase. Females begin to build a nest in Spring.
- Stage 2 - Worker phase. Begins early summer.
- Stage 3 - Reproductive phase.
- Stage 4 - Intermediate phase – when male and females leave the nest for mating.
- They overwinter in groups of up to 50.
Habits
- Paper wasp nests hang upside down in a mushroom shape from tree branches and roof/eave areas. They are easily controlled by insecticidal sprays and dusts but care must be taken to avoid stings during treatment.
- Eat fruit and insects including catperpillars.
- Can give a painful sting.