Quick Dips

Parasite Disappoints

Inspection of Dunedin wasp nests by Wildlife Ecology students from Otago University has shown no evidence of the wasp parasite Specophaga vesparum.

The parasite was released around New Zealand in 1987 as a biological wasp control. It locates nests by scent, then lays its eggs on the head of developing wasps. The egg hatches into a grub, which feeds on the wasp until it is sucked dry.

"The lack of parasites is disappointing but not unexpected," says Dr Henrik Moller, director of the Diploma in Wildlife Management. "So far only one in 40 sites where the parasite cocoons were placed in release boxes has shown a successful strike".