Mears Bush
Wildlife at Mears Bush
Wasps
Weta
Image source: New Zealand Department of Conservation
Photo credit: Sid Mosdell
Common Wasp
Scientific name: Vespa
Common name: Vespa vulgaris
Maori name: Wapu
New zealand wasps are called paper wasps, they have also been introduced to new zealand. New Zealand has the highest amounts of german and common wasp in the world. It's because they have no natural predators in New Zealand. The wasps are located in farm areas, native forest scrubs\scrublands in town spaces.
When they nest the go underground in tunnels, along with buildings
New zealand wasps eat up great amounts of honeydew. Did you know that honeydew is produced by a native scale insect and is an important foods for native birds.
Image source: New Zealand Department of Conservation
Photo credit : Mike Aviss
Cave weta
Scientific name: Anostostomatidae
Common name: Weta
Maori name: Wetapunga
Weta's look like giant grasshoppers with big back legs and are very spiny. They have long front antennae. Weta's are some of the largest insects in the world. There are more than 100 types of weta in New zealand. The most common wetas are:
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Tree weta
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Ground weta
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Cave weta
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Giant weta
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Tusked weta
Image source: New Zealand Department of Conservation
Photo credit: Sid Mosdell
Asian Paper Wasp
The New Zealand wasps are bad because they feast on massive amounts of honey dew. The honey dew is an important food for native insects,birds,bats, and lizards.
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Wasps have been in New Zealand since 1921 as they were first introduced in world war one.
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Wasp stings can be very painful
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Wasps do not like these following plants: wormwood, mint, citronella and eucalyptus.
Image source: New Zealand Department of Conservation
Photo credit: J L Kendrick
Giant weta
Tree Weta
The Tree Weta is the most common weta in New Zealand. You will find them in the bush and even in your backyard.
Cave Weta
These Weta's only come out at night. They don’t just live in caves, they live in tree trunks tunnels and under stones. At night they come to eat.
Giant Weta
It may be a giant but this weta is not as aggressive as the Tree Weta. The Giant Weta can grow to 10cm long and have a leg span of 20cm.