By: Samantha Earl-Goulet and Thomas Simpson.

NON-NATIVE WASPS VS.ARGENTINE ANTS

The German wasp were first brought to New Zealand in 1954

The wasp has a narrow waist, between the thorax and abdomen. They have two pairs of wings, and have distinct black and yellow strips

We do not have any use for non-native wasps here in New Zealand

There have been non-native nests found with 3,000-5,000 wasps in them

Non-Native Wasps

(teare,2009), (Kiwicare,2009) ,and (Ecan,2009), (Doc, 2011)

Argentine Ants

Argentine Ants were introduced to New Zealand in 1990 at the site of Mt Smart, New Zealand

They originated from Brazil and Argentina Argentine Ants are able to completely

eliminate other colonies of ants, and can eat other types of insects and earthworms

forest and bird, December 2002

Introduction

Non-NativeWasps

Wasps belong to the Hymenoptera group

Males do not sting There are three kinds of native Wasps in

New Zealand Don’t shine a light on a Wasps nests

(Kiwicare,2009), (Ecan, 2009)

Argentine ants

Unlike other ant species, Argentine ant colonies cooperate with each other, and can combine over winter into super-colonies.

The best way to tell Argentine ants from other ants is by their colour and trails.

Argentine ants are small (2-3 mm long) and honey-brown in colour, while most other common household ants in New Zealand are black.

Did you know that Argentine ants don't smell when squashed?

Randomized facts

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/animal-pests-a-z/argentine-ants/facts/

Non-Native Wasps

Wasps have a major impact on New Zealand's indigenous ecosystem through competition for food sources, and predation on native insects

90% of honeydew standing crop may be reduced in peak wasp season, affecting the feeding of the Kaka, Bellbird, Tui, and Silvereye

A wasps sting produces localised swelling and itching in most humans

Approximately two people die every three years from wasp or bee sting

(Ecan, 2009), (Doc, 2009)

Argentine ants

The Argentine Ant is one of the worlds worst invasive species

Argentine ants are capable of forming super colonies of billions of individuals

A single ants colony has been recorded to cover 6000 kilometres

Argentine Ants are extremely domestic pest they invade cupboards, sealed jars, electrical areas, and behind walls

Why they are a pest

forest and bird December 2002

Non-Native Wasps

A Wasps life cycle has four stages in it First the adult female lays an egg Then a larva hatches, eats, and grows Next it forms a pupa Eventually an adult emerges

(Te Are, 2009)

Life cycle

There are three main stages of the argentine ants life, the larva, the pupa, and the mature adult

The pupa period lasts for 10-25 days All together it takes two months for the

Argentine Ant to fully mature

Argentine ants

http://www.aboutpest.com/archives/267

Non-Native Wasps

In New Zealand our winter conditions can be mild it means that more than the queen can survive which means the nests can grow even larger

Wasp can be killed using No Wasp Spray, Poison, or No Wasps Dust

New Zealand's government is working on getting rid of wasps by chemical control which is spraying the nest, physical control which is burning the nest, and a biological control which is a insect that goes into the wasps nest and slowly starts to destroy it

(Kiwicare, 2009)

Argentine ants

Remove or securely store all food favoured by ants Trim trees near your house to stop ants getting onto your roof In order to keep control of new population of ants early detection is

essential if you think you have the ants send a sample to landcare research at the address Argentine ant survey Landcare research Private Bag 6, Nelson and they will reply if it is indeed argentine ants.

The Tasman District and Nelson City Council’s have undertaken surveillance over the last five years from 2004 to 2009. Additional funding allowed more intensive surveillance in 2007 and 2008.

The inclusion of Argentine and Darwin’s ants in the Nelson Tasman Regional Pest Management Strategy in 2007 requires compulsory baiting by affected residents.

The nelson government has done no such action so far about the argentine ant but they are planning to

Control

forest and bird December 2002,Nelson city council

Non-Native Wasps

I believe wasps are a bigger pest in New Zealand because they compete with our native birds for food sources, and can effect humans health in negative ways

In New Zealand our winters are only mild which gives a chance for a wasps nests to become even larger then they would in colder places

Judgement!

I strongly believe that the argentine ant is more of a pest than the wasp because one colony is able to cover hundreds of kilometres and almost cover the whole west side of the north island

Argentine ants recent activities

Presented by: Thomas and Samantha Created by: Thomas and Samantha Designed by: Thomas and Samantha Written by: Thomas and Samantha Argentine ants by: Argentine Ants Wasps by: Wasps The person who created the credits Thomas Simpson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!