We examined the abundance, nesting ecology, and colony survival of two invasive species of paper wasp, Polistes dominula Christ (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and Polistes chinensis Pérez (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), within their invaded range in New Zealand. The more recent invader, P. dominula, exhibited a strong habitat preference, reaching the highest abundances within suburban areas with an average of 87.4 wasps per 1,000 m2. Coastal habitats were also found to be suitable environments for P. dominula, although wasp abundance in these areas was comparatively lower than suburban sites at 26.5 wasps per 1,000 m2. Although P. chinensis were observed to build more nests in coastal habitats, this was not reflected in the abundance of adult wasps in these areas. Nests of P. dominula were larger and more productive, likely a result of the multiple founding and earlier emergence of workers compared to P. chinensis. Both species exhibited significant differences in nest survival, with P. dominula observed to have a higher colony survival rate, particularly in suburban habitats where this species utilized man-made substrates as nesting sites. Neither species nested within forest sites and translocated nests of P. dominula failed to thrive within forest habitats. Findings of this research suggest that P. dominula will not pose a threat to species inhabiting forested areas. Instead, biodiversity managers should focus their efforts on suburban and coastal environments as native species in these areas will require the greatest protection.

中文翻译：

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新西兰两种入侵性黄蜂（膜翅目：黄蜂科）的筑巢生态和群落生存

我们检查了两种入侵物种纸黄蜂（膜翅目：黄蜂科）和中华黄蜂（膜翅目：黄蜂科）在新西兰的入侵范围内的丰度、筑巢生态和群体生存。最近的入侵者 P. dominula 表现出强烈的栖息地偏好，在郊区达到最高的丰度，平均每 1,000 平方米有 87.4 只黄蜂。沿海栖息地也被发现是 P. dominula 的合适环境，尽管这些地区的黄蜂丰度相对低于郊区，为每 1,000 平方米 26.5 只黄蜂。尽管观察到 P. chinensis 在沿海栖息地建造更多的巢穴，但这并没有反映在这些地区成年黄蜂的数量上。P. dominula 的巢穴更大，生产力更高，可能是与 P. chinensis 相比，工人的多次建立和较早出现的结果。这两个物种在巢穴存活率方面表现出显着差异，观察到 P. dominula 具有更高的菌落存活率，特别是在该物种利用人造基质作为筑巢地点的郊区栖息地。在森林中筑巢的物种和 P. dominula 易位的巢穴都未能在森林栖息地中茁壮成长。这项研究的结果表明，P. dominula 不会对栖息在森林地区的物种构成威胁。相反，生物多样性管理者应将精力集中在郊区和沿海环境，因为这些地区的本地物种需要最大程度的保护。观察到dominula具有更高的群体存活率，特别是在该物种利用人造基质作为筑巢地点的郊区栖息地。在森林中筑巢的物种和 P. dominula 易位的巢穴都未能在森林栖息地中茁壮成长。这项研究的结果表明，P. dominula 不会对栖息在森林地区的物种构成威胁。相反，生物多样性管理者应将精力集中在郊区和沿海环境，因为这些地区的本地物种需要最大程度的保护。观察到dominula具有更高的群体存活率，特别是在该物种利用人造基质作为筑巢地点的郊区栖息地。在森林中筑巢的物种和 P. dominula 易位的巢穴都未能在森林栖息地中茁壮成长。这项研究的结果表明，P. dominula 不会对栖息在森林地区的物种构成威胁。相反，生物多样性管理者应将精力集中在郊区和沿海环境，因为这些地区的本地物种需要最大程度的保护。这项研究的结果表明，P. dominula 不会对栖息在森林地区的物种构成威胁。相反，生物多样性管理者应将精力集中在郊区和沿海环境，因为这些地区的本地物种需要最大程度的保护。这项研究的结果表明，P. dominula 不会对栖息在森林地区的物种构成威胁。相反，生物多样性管理者应将精力集中在郊区和沿海环境，因为这些地区的本地物种需要最大程度的保护。