Conserving areas of bush and forest in cities is essential to
the conservation of New Zealand’s wasp species, according to
research from Victoria University. With more than 1,000 native
species, wasps are an important part of New Zealand’s
biodiversity says Dr Rudi Schnitzler. “Despite their fearsome
reputation, very few wasps are capable of stinging humans; most
tend to paralyse other insects. They play an essential role in
the control of insects and are often deliberately used to
control pest species such as the apple leaf roller moth in
Hawke’s Bay and Nelson.” Dr Schnitzler’s PhD focussed on the
effect diminishing amounts of native bush in urban areas has on
native and introduced wasp species. He found that the greater
the proximity of reserves and parks, the greater the number of
wasps and the better the health and diversity of the species.
His findings are important for the conservation of urban bush
and forest areas and have implications for city planners. “It’s
important to have many different types o