The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has launched its annual campaign to stop European wasps gaining a foothold in Western Australia.
Director of Invasive Species and Environmental Biosecurity at DPIRD, Victoria Aitken said European wasps were widely established in some States, but had been successfully controlled in Western Australia through a partnership with Local Government, other State Agencies and the community.
“About 2,900 surveillance traps will be deployed across Perth and regional areas over summer and autumn, as part of coordinated surveillance efforts,” Ms Aitken said.
“European wasps have the potential to impact on WA’s outdoor lifestyle, agricultural industries and the environment.”
She said that during the warmer months, wasps left their nests to scavenge for food making them easier to detect and trace back to their nest.
“Last season 118 nests were located and destroyed, which has potentially prevented the breeding of thousands of wasps if those nest were not found,” Ms Aitken said.
“The community plays a vital role in the early detection of this pest and we encourage everyone to be on the lookout and report any suspect finds to the DPIRD.”
She said that because of their yellow and black stripes, European wasps might be confused with other already established or native wasps or bees.
“Unique European wasp traits include scavenging proteins and sugars such as meat, fish and fruit, they have black antennae and fly with legs raised,” Ms Aitken said.
“Most nests are concealed underground, so wasps that fly in and out of a single hole in the ground should be reported.”
